Peace For The Believers
By Elmer G. Klassen
When we mention the name Jesus there comes to mind all sorts of different images of who we believe He is. The sermons we have heard, the lessons taught us in Sunday School, and the Bible verses we were told to memorize have, to a great extent, imprinted in our minds who we think Jesus is.
While reading the Gospels, however, there are many things that seem strange compared with the Jesus we have come to know. It is hard to comprehend how Jesus could say some of the things He said to different people. His manner at social gatherings was indeed different than the way we would expect someone to act in our church meetings. If we, when invited into homes, would begin to act as He did, we as well as our host, would be grossly embarrassed.
The conversations heard as Jesus traveled along the way are far removed from the conversations we enjoy while riding along together in our cars. There were times when we remember Jesus carrying an injured lamb, but there were also times when He purposely hurt people so badly that they left angered and determined to kill Him.
Many books have been written about Jesus which are true and tell us much about Jesus, but how are we able to come to a proper understanding of His teachings when even those who followed Him everywhere He went were not able to explain the reasons for His actions? What we can learn and agree on, however, are some basic principles that Jesus taught and that can be understood by all who believe in Him.
During His entire ministry Jesus was directing the attention of those who would listen--to how His life would end, the reason He came, and who He was--the end of which was to give peace in hearts and peace in this world. Reading the Gospels with this in mind we come to some seemingly strange teachings which seldom, if ever, are being taught by our teachers for fear of being misunderstood. They are: before peace comes separation; after separation, unity; after unity, God in our midst; and after God in our midst, peace.
There must be separation before peace
"Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law--a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household. Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it" (Matthew 10:34-39).
There can be no peace when there are two bosses in the house. There will always be someone who will have the priority over others in the home. If there is to be a duet there can not be a duel. If there is to be harmony someone will have to take the melody and allow others to harmonize. As much as our society would have us believe to the contrary, this has always been true. It is one of God’s laws from the beginning of time which now for millenniums people have tried to change; it just does not work any other way. The price of peace is the acceptance of a lordship other than our own. There can only be one lord. Who is lord must be agreed on; all other lords must be in subjection to the one Lord if we want peace.
After separation comes unity under one lord
Unity is impossible unless the acceptance into the fellowship is based on accepting lordship. There is no salvation from sin without the acceptance of Jesus Christ the Lord. Some may want to call this lordship salvation. The Gospel is: Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. His lordship does not save but it does keep and protect us. The lamb of God takes away the sin of the believer but assurance of salvation comes through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Christ can not be divided. We receive all of Him or none of Him. "Therefore since we have been justified through faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 5:1).
The lordship of Jesus brings unity among the believers, the lack of which may signify no salvation. When the Lord commands His believers to love each other they will respond. There is only one Lord in the body of Christ. He is Lord of all believers.
After unity God the Holy Spirit comes into our midst
Jesus taught His followers very well. They were to separate from others and believe in Him. The quarreling and competing among themselves was eliminated by the Lord’s commandment to love each other and by putting them to the test. These disciples failed the test. The test was not easy. Rather than standing to their confession of faith they failed and denied Him by taking part in the crucifixion. But Jesus did not fail. God raised Jesus from the dead and saved the believers.
The disciples repented, became one in the faith, and experienced Pentecost. They were now ready to preach and call everyone to repentance by calling loudly: This Jesus whom you crucified God has raised from the dead. Repent therefore!
The coming of the Holy Spirit brought peace to the believers
Jesus had promised the sword first. The sword came. He commanded unity which came by everyone failing the Lord first, then repenting. By receiving the Holy Spirit, God was in their midst. What they could not do before, they were doing after Pentecost. Preaching under the anointing of the Holy Spirit brings separation, unity and the presence of God to the believers. This will always bring peace!
Is peace possible today? History will tell us how
Jesus taught His disciples: "The Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 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....In the world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world!"
Jesus overcame the world. The Holy Spirit is given to believers so that they, too, can overcome the world. How? By separating from the world, uniting with the believers, being one with them and receiving God the Holy Spirit in their midst. This is what has blessed this world and this is what all true believers have witnessed.
James Gilchrist Lawson writes in his book, Deeper Experiences of Famous Christians: "In the early Christian church, and in almost every denomination of Christians, there have been many whose consecrated lives and spiritual experiences have made them a blessing to multitudes....Although the deeper spiritual experiences of Christians of many different ages, climes, and denominations are given in this book it will be found that there is a wonderful harmony in the experiences related....There are different theories and different views. There is a difference of opinion as to whether or not the Holy Spirit comes to dwell within people when they are converted, justified, or forgiven. Some believe that the Holy Spirit dwells within every child of God, but that He comes in greater measure to those who are ‘filled with the Spirit.’
"Others believe that to talk about getting ‘more and more of the Spirit’ is not only using unscriptural language, but that it is treating the Holy Spirit as an influence instead of as a person. They believe that the Holy Spirit is only with the justified, forgiven, or regenerated person, but that He dwells within those who are ‘filled with the Spirit.’ In proof of this they cite Christ’s promise ‘He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you,’ and such passages as Acts 8:16 and 19:2, where believers are described as not having received the Holy Spirit.
"However theories may differ, it is certain that in the early Christian church it was customary to lay hands on believers, and to pray for them that they might receive ‘the gift of the Holy Spirit,’ although the gift of the Spirit was sometimes given without the laying on of hands."
In his book Lawson gives the experiences of well-known Christians who have greatly influenced the church for the better. We strongly urge you to read this book if you have not already done this. It may be that at the beginning of the next century/millennium we will witness an even greater outpouring of the Holy Spirit than the one described in the Book of Acts. This is what the Herald of His Coming has been praying for for more than 50 years. God will hear our prayer for a great outpouring of the Holy Spirit when we fulfill His commands to separate, unite, and pray God into our midst!
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