Articles
In Me You Have Peace - John 16
In Me You Have Peace - John 16
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” Earlier in this section Jesus had sated "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” (John 14:27)
The word ‘peace’ appears nearly 100 times in the NT. It is used of such ‘world peace’ (cp. Acts 24:2). As long as ungodly people live in this world there will be wars and fightings among people. As long as godly people live in an ungodly world they will have to deal with persecution and hatred from the ungodly. Jesus said "Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword” (Matt. 10:34, Luke 12:51). There is no peace or fellowship between righteousness and unrighteousness. Hence his promise that “in this world you will have tribulation”.
We can find peace but it is in a faithful relationship with Him. In HIM there is peace. In Him we that were enemies of God were reconciled and are now at peace with our creator. Paul wrote “since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom. 5:1, cp vs. 9-10).
AMONG God’s people there is to be peace in the sense of harmony, unity, and fellowship. Between Jewish and Gentile believers Jesus has broken down the wall that divided them and so made peace (Eph. 2:14). They were then to give diligence in maintaining the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Eph. 4:3). In Christ’s kingdom there is to be peace among His disciples (Rom. 14:17, 19). Brothers are to ‘live in peace’ (2Cor. 13:11). We are to ‘be at peace among’ ourselves (1 Thess. 5:13).
This peace with God and peace with our brethren are accompanied by the inner peace that comes from trusting in Jesus. He has overcome the world; we can ‘take heart’. Even when persecuted for righteousness, we can be at peace within ourselves knowing that God knows and understands. Being condemned by the world is NOT the same as being judged by God.
Paul began many of his letters with the greeting: “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (Rom. 1:7, 1Cor. 1:3; 2Cor. 1:2; Gal. 1:3; Eph. 1:2; Phil. 1:2; Col. 1:2; 1Thess. 1:1; 2 Thess. 1:2; 1 Tim. 1:2; 2 Tim. 1:1; Titus 1:4; and Philemon 3). A few of these greetings are in a shortened form, but all include this blessing of grace and peace. Brethren, let us be at peace in the Lord.
Hugh DeLong
