Peace & Joy in Extreme Times
Pastor Ashley McArtney
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Romans 14:17
The Kingdom and the will of its King is to be experienced through peace and joy. We can measure things that are truly spiritual by the peace and joy we feel. Our reason and intellect will often guide us down the path of caution, but peace and joy can keep us steady down the most narrow road.
The peace and joy we seek as followers of Jesus is of another world. We straddle two worlds at once, but what we need to live on earth comes from heaven. Don’t be deceived. You won’t find peace or joy on earth… (James 1:17) When peace and joy is received from above, it is unhindered by the worlds turmoil.
Where Peace Shines..
Peace is not an absence of conflict. True peace, the divine peace that passes all understanding, is to be had not in retreat from the battle, but only in the thick of the battle. Jesus at the Last Supper knew that the end was upon him, and we see him looking around at his friends who will betray him and saying;
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27
Scripture never promises life or peace in the sense of no more struggle and suffering. The average view of the Christian life is that it means deliverance from trouble. We do our very best to eliminate trouble and to keep the peace. We create ‘Kingdoms of comfort’ about us. Jesus promises deliverance in trouble, which is very different.
The Book of Revelation was written for normal, everyday people. It was the favourite book of the early church and for good reason. It gives immense hope. These people were largely slaves. “Slaves, obey your earthly masters” What does this mean in our context, where see see many ‘freedom fighters’ around us? You can be a slave in the natural and still be an overcomer! You can still have peace, walk in forgiveness, walk in joy!
There may be no liberation at hand, but you can still be free! To be free in Christ is the greatest freedom we can know. Let’s pick our freedom fights carefully… Our individual rights and freedoms make us happy, but do not guarantee any form of peace or joy! This alludes to the fact that overcoming life is not defined only by freedom and victory in a natural sense, but by freedom within! It’s better to be free in Christ and a slave to an earthly master than to be a free man but a slave to the world. True freedom is being able to live under tyranny, poverty and persecution, but still remain in joy and peace. I believe the greatest freedom we have, and the one that is truly worth the fight, is the freedom to turn our hearts upon Him.
You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You (Isa 26:3).
In this time of uncertainty, confusion and turmoil, don’t look for peace and joy here on earth. Lift your gaze to the One who is Peace, who is Joy. If you have extreme views, realise the snares that lie in wait. If you fight for freedom, fight for what really matters. Peace and joy is found above. Individual freedom can make us feel safe and happy but never produce what the heart truly seeks. Our great fight is to introduce the world to the source of all good things.
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Romans 14:17
