Peace I Leave with You

First Presbyterian Church (Dothan AL) Podcast

Pastor Rusty Milton

John 14:25-27 ESV

"Peace I Leave With You"

Any gift that Jesus gives you--his grace, salvation, peace, his word, etc--the Enemy will relentlessly attack. And he wants you to seek it in the wrong place and to discredit the power of God in your life. Satan loves to steal our peace. One way is to turn you toward the sin of your past, reminding you of how you do not deserve God's grace and deserve condemnation. Another way to tempt us is to look to physical or worldly means of peace, though these things cannot satisfy our inner needs. We must realize that Jesus has given us an inheritance of his peace.

There are two reasons why Christianity can sometimes seem to give us little or meaningless peace. One way is that we fail to realize what Christ has done for us. If this is us, it belies a lack of emphasis on grace in our lives. But in Christ, we need to realize we are free from condemnation and are promised an inheritance of eternal life. Another way is that we fail to realize what God has given to us. We must recognize, however, that the inheritance we are given from God is different than what the world gives. He gives us something that nothing and no one can give us in the world--his peace, which our soul craves more than anything.

How do we apply this to our lives? First, realize where you direct the cravings and desires of your heart. Once identified, recognize that those things cannot and will not meet your needs. They will only distract us. Turn, rather, to the only true source of peace: Christ.

John 14:25–27

English Standard Version

25 “These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. 26 But the helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.