CO-EXISTENCE

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I Was Just Thinking About – CO-EXISTENCE.

The past week has been filled with news about Summits and how nations can co-exist amiably. The recent Summit in Quebec, Canada was focused upon tariffs and the inequity of them. The idea was to establish some degree of equality when imported and exported goods are shipped from one country to another. There was little resolve of these issues but there has been considerable posturing between the attendees and their expectations.

Thousands of miles away from Quebec, Canada, there was another Summit in Singapore where two nations (North Korea and the United States)  were seeking to lower the temperature of the long and ongoing tension between North Korea and other nations. The expectation was to arrive at a peaceful resolve. To arrive at peace, North Korea would have to completely denuclearize, along with other human rights factors. The United States would have to lift sanctions, provide protection for the North Korean government and to enable commerce to come to that nation. This was agreed upon by what was labelled as a Peace Treaty.

Peace is something more than that which can be written and signed on paper. At the very least and the best nations can hope for would be for accommodation and a form of peaceful co-existence. Time will tell whether or not this treaty will prove to be a reality. What is the only valid source and means for real and sustaining peace? Is it in the agreements of men? No! Is it based upon a document with the conflicting parties coming to an agreement? No!

When Jesus was preparing His disciples for His departure and their being alone, He calmed their anxieties by making two promises about real and lasting peace. The first is John 14:27 (NKJV), “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.” Jesus is stating that His peace is far different from the attempts of man to achieve it. His peace is “not as the world gives.” Jesus reiterated and expanded upon His emphasis in John 16:33, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” Jesus is very clear. The source of real and lasting peace is in Him. The world will be subjected to tribulation. However, the peace of Jesus Christ is sustainable because of His assuring word, “I have overcome the world.”

What does all of this mean for the child of God and living one’s life from day to day? How can one know the peace of Jesus Christ when increasing chaos, uncertainties and the unpredictable is part of the culture in general and life in particular? One thing is certain, peace does not occur via osmosis. Colossians 3:15 (ESV) indicates the goal that is to be achieved in one’s life, “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.” Romans 14:19, “Let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.” Psalm 119:165, “Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble.” James 3:18, “A harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” Proverbs 16:7 (NIV), “When the Lord takes pleasure in anyone’s way, he causes their enemies to make peace with them.” The only way to know the intention and sustainability of peace is in the only true source of peace. Second Thessalonians 3:16, “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.”

There is one other personal and spiritual development that will enable one to have sustainable peace that exceeds and excels any coexistent effort of men and nations. The simple formulation for God’s sustaining peace for one’s life is stated in Psalm 37:1-8 (NKJV – Selected), “Do not fret...Trust in the Lord, and do good…Feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself…in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass…Rest (relax) in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because…of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass. Cease from anger and forsake wrath; Do not fret--it only causes harm.” This can and should be the minimum standard for your life and mine. Is that true in your life today? If not, will you make it your commitment before the Lord now? The sooner it is implemented in your life the sooner you will know the reality of Isaiah 26:3, The Lord will keep you in perfect peace, when your mind is stayed and focused upon Him alone.

Prayerfully – consider these things with me.