A Nugget from New Life Network
(by Dr. Larry Ollison)
Scripture for the Day – April 17, 2019
Romans 14:17 says, “For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”
Generally speaking, the world is in bad shape. When we turn on the news, we hear of wars, rapes, gang warfare, corruption, and terminal disease. Recently, one of the most watched television programs was an actual murder case. It’s sad, but the world has nothing better to offer. That’s the world.
As Christians, we should not be affected by the things around us. We should not let the things of the world, no matter how bad they seem to be, affect our peace. The Bible says that God is light and in Him is no darkness; and then in Matthew 5:14, Jesus said that we who are Christians are the light of the world. We may be living in the world, but we are not of this world. We live by a different set of standards. And we have things available to us as Christians that the world does not have. One thing we have available is supernatural peace.
In John 14:27, Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
Here Jesus is telling us that the world has peace. Let’s be honest. Having your family together at home is more peaceful than having them scattered. Having your electric bill paid and knowing that the check will clear the bank is more peaceful than knowing you don’t have the money to pay the bill and that the electricity could be shut off any day. The world does have a type of peace that is attainable through money and wise living. But, Jesus also said that there is a supernatural peace, a peace that the world cannot give, that is only available from Him. The peace that Jesus gives does not depend on money or health. The peace of Jesus is supernatural. This peace doesn’t come from having your electric bill paid. This peace is there whether the bill is paid or not. Everything in the world is irrelevant. This peace overrides all problems.
In Ephesians 2:17 the Bible says, “He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near.” Not only did Jesus come and preach peace, but in verse 14 it tells us that, “He Himself is our peace.”
When you accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, the Bible says you are born again (John 3:3; Romans 10:19). The old man inside dies and you become a new creation. Old things pass away and all things become new (2 Corinthians 5:17). Your spirit is reborn. You become a Christian. Also, at this time of rebirth, the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Christ, the Holy Spirit, takes up residence within you. Galatians 2:20 says, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
So, here’s the point. Jesus came to earth preaching peace. He is the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6), and according to Ephesians 2:14, He Himself is our peace. The good news is, if you are a believer, He lives within you. How much more peace can you have available than that?
