Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. - John 14:27
The peace Jesus gives is not of this world. I pray the Spirit of God will help us define, pursue, and take hold of the peace that God gives while avoiding the entrapments of the peace offered by the world.
In reading John 16:33 we see that Jesus and the world offer different types of peace. Before we go any further, it is imperative to recognize that the world does offer peace. Jesus does not deny this. Instead, He clearly states, “I do not give to you as the world gives.” It is crucial to understand that there is a peace that comes from the world that does not come from God. Lacking this understanding, I fear many wrongly attribute their current peace to God in vain. The roots of their folly will be exposed by the storms of life. May His Spirit reveal the type of peace we are seeking.
The world’s peace is skillfully marketed and promoted by the prince and the power of the air, a.k.a. the devil. He markets this peace to men, knowing the sinful, worldly desires of our flesh. He offers us a peace that can be earned; therefore, our flesh craves it. The one who earns this peace will definitely make a good name for himself. For some, signs of this peace may include large mansions, beachfront vacations, and hyperbolic chambers. However, many more pursue this counterfeit peace without ever catching it. It is crucial to recognize the incredible internal and external influencers selling this type of peace so we may be careful to avoid its enticing bait and snare. May we take a closer look at this peace that the world gives.
The peace the world gives is based on circumstances. A circumstance is a situation or condition. Furthermore, circumstance is defined as one’s state of financial or material welfare. This worldly peace is the one you will find most people working and praying for. It is the one God is often praised for though this peace is not from Him. This peace is ushered in with familiarity, predictability, and independence. It is the peace of a settler, one who establishes one’s own kingdom on earth. In Genesis chapter 11 we find an example of people searching for this kind of peace.
“And it came about, as they journeyed east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar and settled there. Then they said to one another, “Come, let’s make bricks and fire them thoroughly.” And they used brick for stone, and they used tar for mortar. And they said, “Come, let’s build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top will reach into heaven, and let’s make a name for ourselves; otherwise we will be scattered abroad over the face of all the earth.”
Here we see people who, after the chaos of the flood, seek peace. They want to settle down and make a home for themselves of the world. They don’t want to travel anymore. They see no need for further movement. Their goal is to get their circumstances just right so that they are satisfied and protected by the work of their hands. They endeavor to build themselves a dwelling that will be heaven on earth. This is the peace the world gives. This peace, at its best, is temporary and ends in everlasting torment. May God never give us our desires for this worldly peace that seeks self-exaltation.
In contrast, in the next chapter of Genesis, we see God offering a different peace, His peace, to a man named Abram. God calls Abram to leave His settled life and follow Him, trusting that God himself will be his shield and great reward. In Genesis 15:6 we read that Abraham “believed in the LORD, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.” This is the difference between the peace of God and the peace of the world:
The peace the world gives changes with circumstances. The everlasting peace of God comes from knowing you have been made right with God in Christ.
In the fourth chapter of Romans it is written,
No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. That is why his faith was “counted to him as righteousness.” But the words “it was counted to him” were not written for his sake alone, but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification. - Romans 4:20-25
I can imagine Jesus saying to Abram, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Abraham stored his treasure in Christ by trusting in God’s promises. In Hebrews 11 it is written of Abraham,
“By faith he dwelt in the promised land as a stranger in a foreign country. He lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.”
Like Abraham, God offers us a peace that grows when we trust in His promises. Unlike the world’s peace, this peace cannot be forfeited with the change of a circumstance. The Scriptures reveal to us that unshakable peace comes from beholding the glory of God in the person of Jesus.
This peace comes not from peaceful circumstances, but from being made right with God.
Mercy and truth have met together; Righteousness and peace have kissed. Truth shall spring out of the earth, And righteousness shall look down from heaven. Yes, the Lord will give what is good; And our land will yield its increase. Righteousness will go before Him, And shall make His footsteps our pathway. - Psalm 85: 10-13
The peace Jesus gives is the peace that remains when comfortable circumstances turn uncomfortable. It is the peace that testifies that He who is in us is greater than he who is in the world. This is the peace that comes from knowing Jesus, our Savior, is Lord of all.
Are you seeking peace by taking hold of the world, by settling down, by storing up treasures on earth or do you find peace by journeying with your Shepherd through this world into the very presence of God? You must put down the world’s peace to take hold of His. Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.
In Christ,
—Roger Garrison
Further verses for encouragement: Isaiah 26:3; Numbers 6:24-26, John 14:24, John 16:33
*Please be advised that this blog represents the views, opinions and beliefs of the writer and does not necessarily reflect those of our church leadership or denominational affiliation.