Lovely revelation this morning. I was getting back into my study of what Jesus taught about the Holy Spirit, so I was reading John 14. Right in the midst of that, I noticed this quote from Jesus as if it were lit up in neon lights:
“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid [Stop allowing yourself to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourself to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled].” (verse 27, modified AMP)
So many things could be taken from this verse, but what hit me today was this: This scripture outlines the answer to why so many Christians are lacking the blessings that the scriptures say so clearly that God has already given us!
Why We Lack the Blessings
Let’s look at this scripture step by step. First, Jesus gives us His peace. Then we are to actively guard our hearts, not allowing our hearts to be troubled or afraid. Do you see it?
If the peace that Jesus offered was automatic, if we didn’t need to do anything to receive it and have it operating fully in us, then He wouldn’t have said the second part! But this example clearly shows us how God gives and how we are to receive.
Jesus said He doesn’t give as the world gives. How does He give? Cooperatively! He does His part to give the gift and we do ours to receive it.
I believe this scripture reveals to us a pattern. There is valuable insight here regarding why so many scriptures promise wonderful things, and yet we don’t see them operating in our lives. Healing, overcoming of sin, peace, prosperity, wisdom, the fruits of the Spirit, divine protection, all the good gifts God has given us in Jesus Christ. Freely given to us. God isn’t holding out on some and blessing others. We’re all blessed.
The Solution – Don’t Tolerate the Bad Stuff
So if we look in our lives and see a lack of some promised blessing, ask ourselves, “Where have I allowed the curse (the opposite of the blessing) to remain in my life?”
Where God has promised peace, we must police our thoughts and emotions (take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ!) and stop any fear or anxiety or worry. Resist it in the name of Jesus, and it will flee! Meditate on the peace of God and His promises to care for us.
Where God has promised healing, we must tell that sickness to go, in Jesus’ name. Just as Jesus rebuked the fever in Peter’s mother-in-law. Just as Peter told the lame man, “In the name of Jesus, stand up and walk”, we should tell our bodies to be healed in Jesus’ name. Don’t tolerate the sickness, thinking it’s a natural state of being. For a Christian, it’s not! Resist it! Jesus took those stripes so we could be healed.
Praising God
I praise God today that He has given me the authority of the name of Jesus. I’m so thankful that because Jesus is my Lord and I obey His commands, the Father who did the works in Jesus’ life and ministry also dwells in me!
I’m so glad God called me to be a believer, because Jesus said that believers would cast out demons in His name and they’d lay hands on the sick and the sick would recover (among other wonderful things!). As a daughter of God, and co-heir with Jesus, I have a “Yes” answer to every promise God ever gave people in His Word.
And now, I praise God that He continues to give me insight to understand how to see those blessings fully manifest in my life. Thank You, Lord! I receive this wisdom from You, and I will do my part to receive Your blessings, so that my life will be a witness to Your goodness.
Scriptures referenced above:
John 14:27; 2 Cor. 10:5; Jas. 4:7; Luke 4:38-39; Acts 3:6; Isa. 53:5 ; 1 Pet. 2:24; John 14:10,12,20-21,23; Mark 16:17-18; 2 Cor. 1:20; Rom. 8:17; Gal. 3:29