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The Foundation of All True Peace, November 19
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have
peace.
John 16:33
.
“That in me ye might have peace”—peace in Christ, peace through
belief of the truth. The Comforter is called the Spirit of truth because
there is comfort and hope and peace in the truth. Falsehood cannot give
genuine peace; this can be received only through the truth....
Jesus prayed that His followers might be one; but we are not to sacrifice
the truth in order to secure this union, for we are to be sanctified through
the truth. Here is the foundation of all true peace. Human wisdom would
change all this, pronouncing this basis too narrow. Men would try to effect
unity through concession to popular opinion, through compromise with
the world, a sacrifice of vital godliness. But truth is God’s basis for the
unity of His people.
Sanctification, unity, peace—all are to be ours through the truth. The
belief of the truth does not make men gloomy and uncomfortable. If you
have peace in Christ, His precious blood is speaking pardon and hope to
your soul. Yes, more, you have joy in the Holy Spirit, through accepting
the precious promises. Jesus says, “In the world ye shall have tribulation:
but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33
. Therefore
the world shall not overcome you if you believe in Me. It is a world that
I have conquered. Because I have overcome, if you believe in Me, you
shall overcome....
All that Jesus has promised, He will fulfill; and it is greatly dishonoring
to Him for us to doubt Him. All His words are spirit and life. Accepted
and obeyed, they will give peace and happiness and assurance forever....
Christ declares that He has given us peace; it belongs to us. And He has
spoken these things, that in Him we may have that which through infinite
sacrifice He had purchased for us—what He holds as ours. This peace
we need not seek in the world, for the world has it not to bestow. It is in
Christ. He will give it, in spite of the world, notwithstanding its threats
and decrees, its alluring, deceiving promises.
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