Friday, May 25, 2018
John 14:27 . . . Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
A HEART ADORNED WITH PEACE
In this context Jesus has taught us that He and His Father are dwelling within our believing hearts. And when He makes our hearts His home, He brings with Him all the blessings for which He came into the world in the first place, including, as the angels sang: ". . .and on earth PEACE. . . ."
Truly, the Savior adorns believing hearts with not just any peace, but "My peace." The foundation or platform of Jesus' peace is the full forgiveness of all sins through Him, as Paul writes: "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have PEACE with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God" (Romans 5:1).
Through that same precious gospel the Spirit produces faith's fruit in our lives, namely: ". . . love, joy, PEACE, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, self-control" (Galatians 5:22).
While basking in that Spirit-given peace, let's beware of shallow substitutes by which an unbelieving world offers its ideas of "peace" or "happiness." Substitute or false "peace" platforms end up enslaving a person to sin’s rest-less bondage.
Born anew through Holy Baptism, we want to feed our souls regularly on the Means of Grace, the gospel in the Word of God and the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper. In that way the Spirit keeps us confident, joyful children of God.
In that way our heart and life is adorned with the peace which surpasses all understanding.
Holy Ghost, with joy divine
Cheer this saddened heart of mine;
Yield a sacred, settled peace,
Let it grow and still increase.
Holy Spirit, all divine,
Dwell within this heart of mine;
Cast down every idol throne,
Reign supreme, and reign alone.
See, to Thee I yield my heart,
Shed Thy life through every part;
A pure temple I would be,
Wholly dedicate to Thee.
(The Lutheran Hymnal, 234:4-6)
