We live in a troubled world. The challenges we face as we journey through life sometimes tend to overwhelm us. Our mind is not at peace. We are sourly troubled.
Many years ago when I was a teenager and in Secondary School, we were studying St. John’s gospel in one of our religion classes. The section of the gospel under discussion that day was the verse where Jesus Christ said to his disciples – “Peace I leave you, my peace I give you.” – John 14: 27. It made me think – “Of everything there is in this world, wealth, power, etc., all Jesus thought to give his disciples was Peace”
As an adult with numerous life experiences, I have come to realize that while we are living on this earthly plane, our entire quest to achieve this or that is a search for peace of mind. We say to ourselves: When I get that one million naira I will relax. When I build that house I will relax. When I get that brand new car I will relax. When I get married I will relax. When I have a job I will relax. And it goes on and on. You and I know that there is no end to the saga as we swing from one need to another, assuring ourselves that once achieved we will find peace and contentment. Truth be told, that peace and contentment remains elusive as each set milestone is achieved.
Why are we not apprised of the fact that we can only find peace and rest in God? – “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things will be added unto you.” – Matthew 6:33
How then do we seek God’s kingdom and his righteousness? Here are some Bible passages that give us directions:
• We must change from beings slaves of sin and become slaves of God (Romans 6:17-23).
• We must experience a change of mind that causes us to turn from trusting man to trusting God (Acts 2:38; Luke 3:3, 8).
• We must die with Christ and rise to a newness of life (Romans 6:3, 4).
• We must put off the old man or woman and put on the new man or woman created in the likeness of God (Ephesians 4:22-24).
• According to Ezekiel’s prophecy, we must get a new heart: “I will give them a new heart and put a new spirit within them. I will take the stony heart out of their flesh and give them a heart of flesh (Ezekiel 11:19; 36:26).
• We must become like children (Matthew 18:3).
• And we must be born again (John 3:3).
The Bible declares from its beginning to its end that human beings must change. If we do not change there will be no peace with God, no peace for ourselves and no hope for eternity, only the wrath and fury of God (Romans 2:8-9). There is nothing more important to humans than experiencing an inward change that positively transforms our lives.
When we strive for this change with genuine effort and resolve, we are truly seeking the kingdom of God and his righteousness. God will ensure that we find the Savior of our souls, and the fellowship and the peace that comes from being with Him. We will find that peace we are seeking – “Thou will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusted in thee.” – Isaiah 26:3
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