Two Kinds of Peace (Part 1)

Jesus Christ is often shown as "The Prince of Peace" by Christians and even by people who belong to other religions especially during Christmas Season. Is Jesus really the Prince of Peace? Look at the below scripture:
(Matthew 10:34)
Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.

Based on the above verse, it is clear that Jesus did not bring peace to this world. However, in another place in the Scripture, Jesus Christ is claiming that He is giving us a special kind of peace which the world cannot give us. Read the below scripture:
(John 14:27)
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Two Kinds of Peace

'Peace', Jesus is talking about in Matthew 10:34 is not the peace Jesus is promising to give us in John 14:27. There is a huge difference between these two kinds of peace.

'Peace' in Matthew 10:34 can be referred to as "Worldly Peace" and 'Peace' in John 14:27 can be referred to as "Heavenly Peace".

What is Worldly Peace?

Worldly Peace is the kind of peace which is based on the environment wherein we live. For instance, if a country suffers because of a war, people in that country have no peace. However, if the war ends, they begin to enjoy peace once again. Since this peace enjoyed by the people depends on the war, it can be referred to as worldly peace.

There are many other factors that can bring about worldly peace in the heart of people on earth. For example, money, houses, vehicles, all kinds of entertainment and treasures can contribute to worldly peace in the carnal mind of man. But this worldly peace is so unstable because all factors that bring this peace to people are subject to change constantly.

Obviously, Jesus Christ did not bring this peace to the world. If we read Matthew Chapter 24 wherein Jesus explains end time events, we can realize that worldly peace is going to leave this world completely during the latter days of this world.

What is Heavenly Peace?

Heavenly Peace is contrary to Worldly Peace in every respect. Heavenly Peace is born and established on the inside of the spiritual mind of a born again Christian. Hence, the outside environment cannot influence it by any means. As a result, a Christian, who has the exact heavenly peace which Jesus talks about in John 14:27, can stay calm even in the midst of storms and waves in life. Look at the below scripture:
(Acts 16:23-25)
And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely: Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks. And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.

How did Apostle Paul and Silas sing praises unto God under the circumstance explained in the above passage?

Truly, this is the peace Jesus had put on the inside of their hearts. This is the peace Jesus brought to this world. This is the peace every born again Christian should experience in their walk with God through Christ.

But unfortunately, today, many of us are shaken even by the slightest trouble in life. I am sure if we were in Paul's situation for the sake of the Gospel today, many of us would have been crying, rolling on the ground and begging God to take us out of the prison. In meantime, we would try all other worldly means to come out of this situation. This proves the fact that the peace Jesus is talking in John 14:27 is not a reality in many of us. Why? Because this heavenly peace is not coming to us automatically. If so, we too would react like Apostle Paul ans Silas when we go through troubles in life.

How to establish Heavenly Peace on the inside of our mind?

Read Part 2...