Real Peace

My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. John 14:27

Dear Congregation,

       A great study may be done on this verse in its entirety, but my devotional thoughts for you this week are quite simple. Christ has given us His peace, and His peace is nothing like the peace the world can give. It strikes me that the world’s peace is only an absence of something. There is peace when there is no war, noise, strife, worry, toil, etc. The best peace the world can provide is merely an absence of some negative element that may be registered by the senses. Not only is the world’s peace one dimensional this way, but it is always temporary. Anything that may cease may just as easily be able to start up again the next day. Your sleep may be peaceful, but your alarm in the morning ends it and your annoying New Jersey commute is only a few minutes away again. The world’s peace is hollow and temporary.

          Christ provides those who trust in Him with His own peace. We may understand that this same peace is one that passes all understanding as Philippians tells us. However, since it is a given peace from God it has an active nature. It is not merely an absence of something negative; it has the power to effect change. Think of Christ’s peace given to you as the same peace that calmed the raging storm on the Sea of Galilee.  The Lord Jesus actively did that. I suggest that he does that with all of us who are His. Peace, be still! Be still and know that He is God! I am thankful for the given peace that comes with my salvation. It certainly takes the worry and insecurity of my soul and eternal state away, but it also gives me an active assurance and mission for my life. We proclaim His Gospel of peace and we can also rest in His activity to bring it to effect. This is a wonderful peaceful truth. Additionally the peace that our savior gives actively calms the burdens and stresses of this earthly life. I do not have to work to create peace, Christ has given it!

          If this peace seems too far out of reach and does not seem present in your life right now, I suggest you pray for it and also consider how powerful and capable your Lord is to handle everything. As He becomes your greatest reality, the trials and tribulations diminish in stature and lose their teeth. He has given you an everlasting peace! You may not understand it here but it is real and it is active. Do not look for peace in a vacation or a good meal or a long nap or a medical cure. Look for peace in your Savior, His Word, His promises, and His action!

In Christ,

Pastor Basile

Finding Life

He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it. Matthew 10:39

Dear Congregation,

      As is typical of these devotionals the verse above is familiar. Yet though familiar it is a verse in which we too often avoid the application and its reaches. First it is important to remember that the Lord is not talking about the physical body here The Lord is not telling his audience to kill themselves for His sake. Preservation of life is precious. He is speaking about the purpose, meaning, goals, actions, affections, and soul of life. The essence of a life summed up if you will. With that in mind consider the ramifications.

          He who finds His life will lose it. We live in a day where much is made of personal identity. Do not be deceived into thinking that this is a new movement or concept. Identity without God was presented in the garden, it existed at Babel when the tower was being constructed. To be Greek, Roman, French, English, American or anything else has always been an option. Likewise ability to identify with family, gender, trade, vocation, occupation, ethnicity, religion, politics, music style, movie fandom, school, or philosophy and more has always been available. The Lord Jesus boldly teaches that anyone who makes any of these things or anything else in creation the purpose and essence of their life will lose that life. None of these things are eternal. None of these things are alive. None of these things have living power. None of these things can atone for sin. None of these things can save a soul. Your life in people, places, things, and ideas will not only come to an end, but that life will be found without any real merit before a righteous God on the day of judgment. Even the Christian must be careful that she does not identify more with the pride of her gifts, service, and ministry than with her Lord Himself. If you have found your life in and are satisfied with something on earth, heed the warning of Christ Jesus.

          He who loses his life for My sake will find it. The person who dismisses all earthly identity to identify with Christ first and foremost will find all the things in creation and more, in eternity in abundance. Christ does not dismiss all the identities of the world, He redeems and fulfills them. They are nothing without Him they are everything in Him. Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you! Make the Lord Jesus your way your truth and your life and you will be able to explore the deep riches of all creation’s varieties with safety, direction, and confidence. Give up temporary earthly identity and you will find light ant life in the one who designed all. In Christ all things become new because we have died to ourselves and have sought His glory. Do not worry about where you fit and what your future holds, give all of that into the hands of the savior and commit your ways to Him. His Word will guide you and direct you. You will know that your life cannot be lost or wasted because He owns it and none can pluck you from His hand. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, trust Him for all, Live your life for Him, seek Him daily, walk closely with Him and find life in who He is and what He provides. Everything else passes away, but He has promised He will never leave you or forsake you!

In Christ,

Pastor Basile