by Arthur W. Pink
by Arthur W. Pink
Philologos Religious Online Books
Philologos.org
by Arthur W. Pink
April, 1940
PEACE.
“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth, give I unto you” (John 14:27). Having sought to show last month what the peace of Christ consisted of—namely, an unshakeable confidence in the Divine providence, an unchanging trust in God, and an unparalleled meekness—let us now endeavour to point out the causes of the same, or perhaps it would be better to say, the springs from which it proceeds, for the law of cause and effect obtains and operates just as truly in connection with His peace as it does with ours.
First His implicit obedience to God. Speaking by the Spirit of prophecy we find the Messiah declaring, “Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of Me, I delight to do Thy will, O My God: yea, Thy Law is within My heart” (Psa. 40:7, 8). In Deuteronomy 10:2 Jehovah said unto Moses, “I will write on the tables the words that were in the first tables which thou brakest, and thou shalt put them in the ark.” The stone tablets on which the Ten Commandments were inscribed were deposited for safekeeping in the holy ark: and here (Psa. 40), we behold the blessed Antitype—the Law of God enshrined in the Messiah's affections—in consequence of which He perfectly and perpetually kept all the requirements of that Law in thought and word and deed. Therefore could the Lord Jesus affirm, “I do always those things that please Him” (John 8:29), and nothing is more pleasing to God than a hearty compliance with His will.
That peace is both the product and reward of obedience is clear from many Passages. “Great peace have they which love Thy Law” (Psa. 119:165). All who live in this world are born unto trouble (Job 5:7), much more so must the godly expect to encounter difficulties and conflicts (Psa. 34:19). To the carnal eye no condition seems more undesirable and miserable than the state of those who serve God, yet no matter what their outward lot, peace dwells within, for “the fruit of righteousness is peace” (Isa. 32:17). But, the proportion in which that peace is enjoyed is determined by the measure of our love for and compliance with the Divine Law, for Wisdom's ways are “ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace” (Prov. 3:17). Consequently, since the Lord Jesus had a fervent and unabated love for that Law and never forsook Wisdom's paths, perfect peace ever possessed His soul.
Second His absolute surrender to the sovereignty of God. Of the wicked it is said, “The way of peace have they not known” (Rom. 3:17). And why is this? Because they are in revolt against God. The only true resting place is for our wills to be lost in God's, to meekly submit to His sovereign dispensations, to thankfully receive from His hand whatever enters our lives. Uniquely was that the case with the Lord Jesus. When favoured Capernaum despised His gracious overtures, instead of being riled thereby, He exclaimed, “Even so, Father; for so it seemed good in Thy sight” (Matt. 11:26). He had placed Himself unreservedly under the government of God, consequently He accepted all afflictions as coming from His hand: “The cup which My Father hath given Me, shall I not drink it?” (John 18:11). When His very soul was wrung with the most acute anguish, so far from a word of complaint escaping His lips, He declared, “Father, not My will, but Thine be done” (Luke 22:42). When enduring the sufferings of the Cross—tormented by man and experiencing the wrath of God—He meekly “bowed His head,” praying for His enemies, committing His spirit into the hands of the Father.
Third, His unclouded fellowship with the Father. Dwelling continually in the secret place of the Most High, He abode perpetually under the shadow of the Almighty. Jehovah was the portion of His inheritance, and therefore the lines fell unto Him “in pleasant places”: setting the Lord always before Him. He knew He should not be moved (Psa. 16:5-8). Enjoying unbroken communion with God, His heart ever experienced perfect peace. “As the living Father hath sent Me, and I live by the Father (sustained by communing with Him) so he that eateth Me, even he shall live by Me” (John 6:57). “I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent Me . . . He that sent Me is with Me” (John 8:16, 29). He ever had the blissful consciousness of the Father's presence: “the Father is with Me” (John 16:32).
Fourth, His unshaken confidence in the glory awaiting Him. “Let us run with patience (fortitude) the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of faith: who for the joy that was set before Him endured the Cross” (Heb. 12:1, 2). The Man Christ Jesus lived in the assurance of an unseen future. He looked away from the things of time and sense, above the shows and delusions of this world, beyond its trials and sorrows, and set His affection on things in Heaven. The prospect of a future, yet certain joy, enabled Him to run His race with patience, and therefore in the immediate prospect of death He could say, “Therefore My heart is glad, and My glory rejoiceth: My flesh also shall rest in hope . . . Thou wilt show Me the path of life: in Thy presence is fullness of joy, at Thy right hand are pleasures forever more” (Psa. 16:9, 11).
“My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you.” There is no other peace like it, though the unregenerate often mistake the sleep of death, a drugged conscience, worldly prosperity, the enjoyment of temporal comforts, for the same. The fact is that none but those who are born of God can understand or enter into this blessed truth. The peace which the world gives is a false one, it is continued by an uncertain tenure, and at the last takes away its gift, leaving its deluded votaries to suffer the vengeance of eternal fire. But the Lord Jesus gives what is truly good, solid and lasting: “When He giveth quietness, who then can make trouble?” (Job 34:29).—A.W.P.
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