Those that are lost, those who do not know Jesus, those that are dead in there trespasses and sins….. the sinner has no peace.

The sinner has many nights laying awake, telling himself “ God will let my sins go, God will forgive these small little sins”, “I am not that bad”, but In truth the sinner that is coming to the door of repentance is tortured knowing He is “that bad.” He is Tormented with guilt, tormented fearing eternal damnation. He mourns his sin, he is starting to realize ! That he is Full of envy, hatred, judgement, constant comparing of his sins to others, merely hiding his guilt in judgment of others. Fear grips the sinner and will not let Go, a fear beyond words and understanding.

For he was dead in his trespasses and sins, dead-lifeless bones.

At times he will try and ignore his guilt, dive into Hobbies, into work, what ever He can think of , anything to dull that sharp 2 edged sword, the word of God.

But God

Ezekiel 36:25-27 (ESV Strong’s)

I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleanness, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.

The old Man was crucified with Christ and died, and a new creature was made-He was born again, God filled him with that peace, a peace beyond all understanding. He can’t explain it, he can’t put it into words, worthy of the glory God deserves, but that peace was just there. We know this because we were/are that sinner.

There’s such an assurance with that peace, an assurance that Jesus paid it all and all to him We owe.

We will live with Jesus forever and that’s the peace, that peace of assurance. Without that assurance we are of all people most to be pitied.

The strongs concordance defines peace in this way. Prosperity, quietness, rest,a state of tranquility, exemption from the rage and havoc of war,peace between individuals, harmony, concord, security, safety, prosperity, felicity, side note felicity means Intense happiness and is the name of my granddaughter , the tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ

Philippians 4:6-7 is a piece of scripture that comes to my mind often, and describes this piece as well as any, a scripture that infuses peace in our hearts and minds.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

But in everything by prayer and supplication, prayer is the key, and peace is the result.

This is a promise, God gives us this promise. God is stressing the importance of our prayer life in these verses. The opposite of anxiety is the peace that only God, in answer to prayer, gives to his people. The Lord instructs us not to worry, which is grounded in assurance that God already knows our needs.

God is calling upon us to exercise our faith thru prayer, the fruit of that prayer is peace.

God made a covenant of peace with his people in Ezekiel 37:26

I will make a covenant of peace with them. It shall be an everlasting covenant with them. And I will set them in their land and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary in their midst forevermore.

This covenant is both a covenant of peace and an everlasting covenant. Whether it’s Israel or the church today, the Lord wants His people to be united in peace.

Psalm 133:1

Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!

It takes prayer, sacrifice, and patience to maintain the unity of God’s people in peace. We have this convent promised peace, an eternal covenant of peace, there is great comfort in that promise.

Jesus promised the comforter, the helper would come, but first he had to go, he had to go to the cross, but he would leave us peace

John 14:26-27 (ESV)

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. 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.

Just think about that, Jesus is facing the most stressful event ever, on any one human for all time, he’s facing the ultimate wrath of his father and knows it’s coming, he will soon be in such a state of stress he will sweat great drops of blood , but he says peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you. That is that peace beyond all understanding.

There was a great difference between his disciples before the day of Pentecost and after that day.

Before His disciples lacked faith, they lived in fear, they was full of pride, who was greatest, where they would sit in the kingdom of heaven, one drew a sword to kill one of his captures, they all left and fled in terror, they lied, denied that they even knew him.

Then we look after the comforter came at Pentecost, they are empowered with confidence, they preach Jesus to those who crucified our lord, they preach to the poor, they heal the sick and afflicted, cleanse leapers, they are imprisoned and beaten. The comforter was with them as they boldly stood in front of their accusers and proclaimed without fear-with all joy, Jesus as lord and savior, they were commanded to stop preaching the name of Jesus, Did they run and hide, silence their mouths?

Acts 5:41-42

Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus.

That is the peace God gave them.

Galatians 5:22 (ESV Strong’s)

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness.

Love, agape, love is selfless which enables us to serve one another with love.

Joy, joy is not so much happiness, it gives us the ability to Love the gospel. With joy comes peace, a sense of wholeness and well-being, a tranquility of the mind that comes from a saving relationship with God. With peace from God, we are able to make peace with others

Colossians 3:14-15

And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.

In verse 14 Put on love above all things, the crowning grace of Love, love is the primary fruit of the spirit.

In verse 15 Paul speaks of peace, peace itself is the bond in which the unity of the spirit is maintained.

Ephesians 4:3

Eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace

If we brothers and sisters are subject to Christ, the peace which he imparts will regulate our relationships with one another. It is not strife but peace that called us in unity in the body of Christ. We being reconciled to God enjoy peace with him through Christ, therefore naturally we live at peace with one another

In Jesus own sufferings and darkest hour, He endured that darkness for us. We will never face that darkness. We as believers are given that peace.

A friend sent me a poem during a dark time of my own, and I am reminded of it today.

“He led me by the way of pain, a barren and a starless place; I did not know His eyes were wet, He would not let me see His face; He left me like a frightened child, unshielded in a night of a storm;
How should I dream He was so near?
The rain-swept darkness hid His form; But when the clouds were driven back,
And dawn was breaking into day,
I knew Whose feet had walked with mine, I saw His footprints all the way.”

The Jews thought that the peace given by their messiah was going to be delivered by a mighty sword, a sword mightier than any Roman sword. Instead that peace was secured by an innocent lamb, who suffered and bled and died by the hands of those same Romans the Jews wanted to conquer so desperately. A true surprise, perhaps a dichotomy, considering the Jews’ expectations.

But God

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.