John 14:27 reveals that Jesus recognizes that the world can offer peace. The scripture also reveals two kinds of peace: the peace that comes from God and the peace that comes from this world.
Our focus is on the supremacy of the peace that comes from God. The peace that comes from God is a perfect peace, prevailing and consistent; the world’s peace is fragile, temporary, and not consistent. For the economy to be stable and viable, there is a need for peace in the land. The price for peace is unquantifiable.
Jesus said, “My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you.” The world does not have what it takes to give any man or nation what the Bible calls “perfect peace.”. Even if it looks like there is peace today, give it a few months; something can break forth, and whatever effort was put in place to achieve that peace will have gone down the drain, and they are going to start all over again.
He emphasizes that peace is a universal human desire, yet elusive in our crisis-filled world. As believers, we are called to two worlds of peace: the world’s peace and God’s peace. We must value God’s peace at the expense of the world’s peace. Jesus acknowledges that while the world may attempt to provide peace, it is temporary, fragile, and not constant.
John 14:27 NKJV “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
Jesus acknowledged that the world can offer peace, but it is not perfect or consistent. The peace that comes from God is a perfect peace, prevailing and consistent.
Ezekiel 13:10-16 depicted prophets prophesying false peace, which is not the true peace that God provides. Applying that scripture, there is a possibility of the prophets trying to offer people hope for peace, but God said there is no peace; they are just giving people false hope of peace.
It is only God that can give peace. The world offers superficial peace through resources like position, money, and power, which can lead to false hope. The Bible even calls money the deceitfulness of peace.
It may look like you’ve laid hold of peace when you have the good things of life, but it is a mirage; it’s fleeting. It’s not like what God gives. When we speak of the peace of God, we are not referring to the peace that the world provides. Perfect peace is the kind that comes from God.
John 14:7 reveals that God’s peace is not based on external factors but on our relationship with him, while the peace that comes from the world is attached to external factors.
The peace of God has everything to do with the personality of God in your life.
God’s peace is superior to the world in so many ways:
- The peace of God is eternal (2 Corinthians 4:18). The word ‘eternal’ means everlasting. While the peace that comes from the world is temporal. One thing is sure: when God gives you peace, it abides forever with you. The people In your life cannot give you the perfect peace. God is not just the Prince of Peace; He is Our Peace.
A job may initially provide us with peace of mind, yet what appeared to be a good thing might quickly turn unpleasant. This is why we should place our trust in God and accept Him as our peace. When we do this, He will act as a “shock-absorber” when things go wrong. As a result, whatever peace we see there or are given, we should always remember that we had the Lord before they gave it to us. We have one that is reliable and wonderful. What we have learned is that the Lord has supremacy over everything.
The world’s definition of peace is based on its view, but true peace comes from God. Our job and resources are not our peace.
Sometimes the world’s own looks perfect until being tested with time. The Bible discusses the deceitfulness of wealth and beauty in the world, emphasizing the importance of preserving peace through the peace of God.
Everything in the world can be deceitful. There are values for substance. These values will change and will be no more. Our hearts should be anchored on God, as He is the Bishop and Shepherd of our souls. The anchor to our souls is the peace of God.
- God’s peace is an inner peace that comes from knowing him, while the world’s peace is external.
Jesus’ parable explains this.
Luke 12:16-21 (KJV) And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully.
And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?
And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.
And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.
But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?
So is he that layeth up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.
We can get to a point where we get established in our lives and believe the reason why we now have peace around is because of what we have now and what we have attained. We should never replace God with things.
The scriptures call it the deceitfulness of riches Mark 4:19
The moment the rich man said, “I will tell my soul,” that was when God took note of him because he took the soul as his own possession. There are beautiful experiences in life that may appear perfect; they should never be replaced with God or be allowed to occupy the position of God in your life.
- The peace that comes from God is unshakable, while the world’s peace is fragile. Isaiah 26:3, Isaiah 43:1-4
God assures us of peace regardless of what we go through because of his peace; we know the outcome.
God said he is out for peace. He is the Prince of Peace. He gives us peace, but not as the world gives.