Peace I Leave You

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27)

Peace, true peace is the tranquility of soul that only Jesus Christ can give.

“...not as the world giveth”.
The “world” comes from the Greek “kosmos”, which means the universe, everything in whole and aggregate.

Some folks attempt to be “one with the world" or "one with the universe”, in an effort to achieve peace. This is not of divine design and is only a blending with the world. Be very cautious if you are one with the world, be very concerned if the world is one with you. We are not of the world. We’re just passing through. True peace will only be achieved through Christ. 

“Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid”

Jesus is talking about the physical heart (Greek, “Kardia”). Troubled is better translated as being “agitated” and is a physical disturbance. Afraid is better understood to mean, “Timid, full of anxiety” and is an emotional disturbance.

We are affected physically when we do not have tranquility of soul. It’s like sand on a membrane over a sound speaker. Turn up the music (trials and tribulations) and the sand (heart) starts jumping around, agitated, and moving in all different directions. But the movement isn’t random. Each specific tone (trouble) will cause the sand (heart) to form a specific pattern (emotion). Sound (trouble) doesn’t stop disturbing us until we hear and receive Christ (peace).

“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33).

Those who try to be one with the universe, one with the world are marrying themselves to tribulation.

It is very important to understand that Jesus does not say He will prevent all of our problems. He does offer us peace, His peace, so no matter what trial we may face, we can always have the peace of Jesus, the tranquility of soul within us. After all, isn’t peace and rectitude all we ever wanted in the first place?

Peace cannot and will not be found here. We can only have peace through Jesus Christ.

Bill Hitchcock