Promises in Receiving ChristSample

Promise 5: You are given a sense of permanent peace and rest.

To be at peace means to be calm, tranquil, secure, in harmony with others. It is used here to convey that a person is bound, woven, and joined together with God and others in a state of serenity and unity. The Hebrew word for peace is shalom. It means freedom from trouble. Even more, it means experiencing the greatest good, enjoying the very best, possessing all the inner worth possible. It means wholeness and soundness. It means prosperity, in the widest sense, especially the spiritual prosperity of having a soul that blossoms and flourishes (Matt.11:28-30).

There is the peace of the world (John 14:27). This is a peace of escapism, of avoiding trouble, of refusing to face facts, or an outright denial of problems. It is a peace that is sought through physical pleasure, self-indulgence, acquiring worldly possessions, positive thinking, or any number of other outlets.

There is the peace of Christ and of God. This is, first, an inner peace, a peace deep within. It is a tranquility of mind, a composure, a peace that is calm in the face of difficult circumstances and situations. It is more than just a feeling or an attitude of self-control. It is a deep-seated, unwavering consciousness of God’s presence and protection. Second, God’s peace is a conquering peace. It is a peace that is independent of conditions and environment. No sorrow, no danger, no suffering, no experience can take away the conquering peace of God (John 16:33).

How do you secure the peace of Christ and of God? Scripture says you must do six things:

• You secure peace by believing in Christ and by being justified — counted righteous—before God (Rom. 5:1).
• You secure peace by loving God’s Word (Ps.119:165) (John 16:33).
• You secure peace by praying about everything (Phil. 4:6-7).
• You secure peace by being spiritually minded (Rom. 8:6).
• You secure peace by keeping your mind upon God.

You will keep himin perfect peace, Whosemind is stayed [kept] on You,because he trusts in You (Is.26:3, NKJV).