(In the Language of MAN and GOD)

How many people pondered on the distinction among happiness, joy, and peace? Happiness is defined in the dictionary as, "a state of well-being and contentment. It is a pleasurable or satisfying experience."

MAN’S CONCEPT

HAPPINESS

The definition stated is man ‘s concept of happiness . Some examples of "pleasurable or satisfying experience" may be one or all of the following:

Satisfaction of basic needs:

1. Appeasement of hunger with savory food.
2. Satisfy intense thirst for water.
3. Warm covering for a frosty body.
4. Shelter for protection and comfort.
5. Satisfy craving for sex.

Another form of happiness is the gratification of the senses: sense of sight, sense of taste, sense of hearing, sense of touch, and sense of smell. To summarize, happiness is confined to the satisfaction of the BODY. Perhaps happiness is the lowest rank among the three circumstances that gratify man. Since it satisfies only the body, it may well apply to animals. Like man, animals consist of the BODY with the senses. Happiness deals more with the satisfaction of the senses that are identified with the BODY and dictated by instinct.

Satisfaction of the senses takes myriad forms, from the simplest to the most sophisticated: exotic food, "signature" apparel and dresses, a simple house to mansions, great shows and entertainment, big sports events, modern gadgets and equipment: motorcycles, cars, yachts, airplanes, etc. Satisfaction of the flesh to the fullest, etc. However, there is a saying, "Nothing that man does not get tired of no matter how and what." Since man is higher in form than animals, his craving for satisfaction does not stop with happiness .

JOY

Man’s concept of Joy is defined in the dictionary as, "the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires." Joy therefore is more than the satisfaction of the senses identified with the BODY and dictated by instinct.

Human intelligence craves for deeper and loftier form of satisfaction. Thus, obsession for knowledge fascinates everybody in different degrees. We find people in diverse fields of profession, vocation, avocation, and activities:

1. Profession (medicine, law, etc. with all the rewards and awards),
2. Science (physics, astronomy, biology, etc. with all the rewards and awards),
3. Economics (accumulation of wealth, etc. with the establishment of business and industrial empires),
4. Politics (power and distinction, etc.),
5. Religion (emotional refreshment, nicety, exaltation of the leaders, etc.),
6. Arts (painting, movies, etc. with all the rewards and awards),
7. Sports (basketball, boxing, football, etc. with all the rewards and awards),
8. All kinds pastime, etc.

Feeling requires a deep and fathomable sense of belonging: the joy to love and to be loved. This extends not only to close family ties but also to the neighborhood, community, country, and even the world.

All these require great efforts, time and sacrifices. Triumph over challenges and emulators adds luster to the joy of the SOUL. Joy therefore is the gratification of the inner or subliminal self. This is beyond the reach of instinct and the senses. With all kinds of joy that man could get and imagine, boredom and humdrum still badgers him. Man now sets the eyes to the much higher level of contentment.

PEACE

In winning Joy, many times man finds himself in the thick of challenges and struggles. He therefore pursues solace and finally finding himself in the last stage -- peace . Many people think of peace as freedom from social, economic or financial, and emotional insecurity and other enigma in life.

Man’s concept of peace as defined in the dictionary is, "a state of tranquillity or quiet; freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions." Realizing that joy is not the ultimate in the quest for total satisfaction, man now stops and backtracks to a life of simplicity. Thus, we find men and women of power, wealth, and fame retreating to a life of homeliness. Not a few are found living an ascetic life. In religion, we find monks and nuns in the monasteries and convents. This is peace to many people.

These are man’s notion of HAPPINESS , JOY , AND PEACE . Perhaps many people will be surprised to find that they are "a mile away" from God’s concept!

GOD’S CONCEPT

It is written, God speaks in parables (Psalms 78:2). Example:

Judges 9:8 "The trees went forth on a time to anoint a king over them; and they said unto the olive tree, Reign thou over us."

Look how God speaks differently. Trees may refer to people.

Romans 11:17 "And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert grafted in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;"

Matthew 7:19 "Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them."

Jesus Christ spoke in parables (Mark 4:34 ). Example:

John 2:19 "Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. 20 Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days?"

Did the listeners, including the disciples, know that the temple refers to the body of Christ:

John 2:21 "But he spake of the temple of his body. 22 When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said."

If trees and temple have a different meaning to God, so are happiness, joy and peace.

SPIRITUAL HAPPINESS

Just as the listeners laughed at Jesus’ saying, "destroy this temple" using the LANGUAGE OF MAN, is it not farfetched to think people will likewise laugh at the kind of happiness God is talking about? Happiness to God is:

1. Trust in the Lord
2. Fear of God
3. Keeping/obeying the law of God
4. Patience and endurance
5. Reproached for the sake of Christ

Before everything else, let us consider the following tip God is giving us in reading the Sacred Scriptures:

Isaiah 28:10 "For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:"

These are God’s references to happiness and look how differently they are to man’s concept:

Proverbs 16:20 "…and whoso trusteth in the LORD , happy is he."

Proverbs 28:14 " Happy is the man that feareth always: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief."

Proverbs 29:18 "…but he that keepeth the law , happy is he."

John 13:17 "If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them."

James 5:11 "Behold, we count them happy which endure . Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord…"

1 Peter 4:14 "If ye be reproached for the name of Christ , happy are ye…"

Indeed, the Natural Man will laugh and may even consider foolishness at the peculiar language of God:

1 Corinthians 2:14 "But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned."

God’s SPIRITUAL LANGUAGE is a "strange tongue" to man. Could man accept that happiness to him means sorrow to God?

Proverbs 14:13 "Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness."

SPIRITUAL JOY

Like happiness, joy has a different meaning to God:

Jeremiah 15:16 "Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts."

Isaiah 61:10 "I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels."

How could the Natural Man imagine finding joy in "eating the word of God?" Does he truly enjoy being covered with the robe of righteousness and clothed with the garment of salvation? Are these not being outshone as he savors the joys described before?

Peace in the language of God is quite incomprehensible to the Natural Man. In one instance, Christ is leaving peace; in another, He denies it to people.

John 14:27 " Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you…"

Luke 12:51 "Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division:"

Definitely, Christ was not talking of social-economic-political peace for at no time in the history of the world have people been blessed with that kind of peace. By this time, the "line" separating the literal-physical from spiritual, and earthly from heavenly, must have been fully appreciated. This is the "line" distinguishing the LANGUAGE OF GOD from the LANGUAGE OF MAN.

Jesus Christ is the model and example in the demonstration of happiness in the Language of God.

Jesus trusted the Father

1. He totally submitted to the Father
2. He kept and did the will of the Father
3. He was patient and endured all troubles He found Himself in
4. He accepted reproach for the sake of truth

After Pentecost, all these were found in Paul, Peter, John, James and the other apostles of our Lord. This only shows that they had spiritually grown in the stature of the "eldest Son:"

Romans 8:29 "For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren."

Jesus Christ demonstrated joy in "eating the word" which the apostles did not even notice:

John 4:31 "In the mean while his disciples prayed him, saying, Master, eat. 32 But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of . 33 Therefore said the disciples one to another, Hath any man brought him ought to eat? 34 Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me… "

Of course the "will of the Father" are His words which Jesus Christ joyfully "ate." Before they received the Holy Spirit, the disciples were at a loss as to what our Lord was saying, "My meat/food is to do the will of him that sent me." After Pentecost, however, Paul, Peter, John, James and the other apostles experienced the same kind of joy that we have seen in our Lord. Happiness and joy used in the Language of Man is not the same as the meaning in the Language of God. The life of Jesus Christ and His apostles attests to this truth. Christ is the chief cornerstone and the apostles are the foundation (Ephesians 2:20 ).

SPIRITUAL PEACE

Our Lord demonstrated peace in the following incident:

Mark 4:35 "And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side. 36 And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship…37 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. 38 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and

Of course the usual understanding of this incident is that our Lord could afford to sleep in the midst of great danger and problems in life. People therefore relate this also to their life. Conditioning oneself to be close to the Lord, peace is imagined in the midst of so many adversities and troubles in life.

Let us remember the words of God are expressed in parables. The stories and incidents being part of the word have great spiritual message. The significance is revealed by the very word of God. The spiritual significance of that incident may be gleaned from the following extracts from the word:

1. "Let us pass over unto the other side." To take this literally, it simply means going to the other side of the shore. In the Language of God, He has several references to "water." One refers to people:

Revelation 17:15 "And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest…are peoples,and multitudes, and nations, and tongues."

Psalms 18:16 "… he took me, he drew me out of many waters."

Psalms 22:14 " I am poured out like water , and all my bones are out of joint…"

Going to the other side of the shore therefore means "passing" over the people or over oneself. This simply means not to be influenced by people or to be overcome by one’s frailty. Since it was Jesus and His apostles who were travelling, then the "journey" refers to the straight way to the spiritual kingdom. In the incident, "wind" and "water" are seen as causes of trouble and destruction. Following are some of the references to the two forces.

2.  "And there arose a great storm of wind." Literally, this is the force of a strong wind. God however has several references to "storm of wind." One of which is the stinging words of men:

Job 8:2 "How long wilt thou speak these things? and how long shall the words of thy mouth be like a strong wind?"

Could one have peace with this "storm of wind?" In another reference, wind refers to man’s own soul (mind and emotion):

Job 30:15 "Terrors are turned upon me: they pursue my soul as the wind…"

Christ demonstrated that He was not affected at all by what people said of Him, nor bothered by emotional pain. He was seen "in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow." After Pentecost, Christ’s apostles also had this kind of spiritual peace proving that they were capable of "growing" up as the eldest Son of God (Roman 8:29).

Another reference to "storm of wind" is the false doctrines that try to waylay a person from the straight path to the kingdom of God :

Ephesians 4:14 "That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;"

Truly so, this is aptly demonstrated in the incident where the "strong wind" tried to block our Lord and His apostles to the "other side of the shore." In all these, our Lord showed His peace by sleeping soundly unaffected at all by the "storm of wind."

In another reference, "strong wind" points to the Holy Spirit. Look how peace is demonstrated in this case:

Acts 2:1-4 "And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind , and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance."

John 3:8 "The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit."

Who would think that the Holy Spirit represented by "strong wind" could cause "trouble" to a person? How and why? Is not the Holy Spirit the teacher and reminder of truth (1 John 2:27 )?

John 16:12 "I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. 13Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth…"

Were not the people "not of the truth" greatly troubled and distraught when the Spirit of Truth, "blew" on them? Did we find peace in the persecutors of Stephen when he spoke the truth?

Acts 7:57 "Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord." (Acts 7:51-60)

Were not the people "not of the truth" greatly troubled and distraught when the Spirit of Truth, "blew" on them? Did we find peace in the persecutors of Paul?

Acts 26:24 "And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad. 25 But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness." (Acts 24-26),

Were not the people "not of the truth" greatly troubled and distraught when the Spirit of Truth, "blew" on them? Did we find peace in the persecutors of Peter? And so with other apostles.

Acts 5:17 "Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, which is the sect of the Sadducees, and were filled with indignation." Acts 5:17-29)

Can people who are not of the truth find spiritual peace when "blown by strong wind" and "strong waves of water" beat their religious position, supposedly bringing them to the "other side of the shore?"

3.  "And the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full." Literally, this is water that filled the ship badgering the apostles greatly. One reference to water is the Word of God:

Ephesians 5:26 "That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by theword,"

Today, can people who are "not of the truth" be at peace when they hear the powerful two-edged sword in the word of God with the revelation of the Holy Spirit? Examples:

a. If we call peoples’ attention to the Truth that believing in one God is not enough; will they not get distraught and confused? Will they be at peace?

James 2:19 "Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe…"

b. If we articulate and call peoples’ attention that TO KNOW the "One Lord and one God" is a PREREQUISITE to the Two Great Commandments of "love God" and "love of fellowmen;" will they not be troubled? Will they be at peace?

Mark 12:28 "And one of the scribes came, and…asked him, Which is the first commandment of all? 29 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is , Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: 30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God…this is the first commandment. 31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these."

• Who is the God of Noah, Abraham and Moses and what is His NAME?
• Who is the God of Paul, Peter, and John and what is His NAME?
• Who is the True God today and what is His NAME?
• Who is the "One Lord and one God" the Chosen will be meeting in heaven, and what is His NAME?

If we emphasize the Truth that Peter did not recognize our Lord Jesus with his own intellect and personal capability (our Lord put it "not with flesh and blood"), but by the revelation of the Father; will many people be at ease?

Matthew 16:16 "And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. 17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven."

If we emphasize the Truth in the statement of our Lord,

John 8:19 "…Jesus answered, Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also."

If recognition of Jesus Christ is like that of Peter, an apostle (a foundation – Ephesians 2:20 ), clear recognition of the Father will follow. Who, then, is the Father? Who is Jesus Christ? Who is the Holy Spirit? Who is the "One Lord and one God"? Our Lord rebuked the religious leaders who met and talked to Him, yet they did not recognize Him because He was not revealed by the Father to them.

John 8:54 "Jesus answered… it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God: 55 Yet ye have not known him…"

Will the people concerned not get distraught and confused if they cannot clearly recognize the Father? Will they not get mad as the religious leaders did? Will they be at peace ?

If their "love for God" and "love for fellowmen" are questioned for lacking the PREREQUISITE of a clear recognition of the "One Lord and one God"; are they not distraught? Will they be at peace ?

a. If we remind religious leaders that TO BE CALLED "FATHER" or "RABBI" which means Teacher, Leader, or Head and also go the titles of Pastor and Shepherd; will they not get distraught? Will they be at peace?

Matthew 23:8 "But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. 9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. 10 Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ."

b. If we remind religious leaders that to be addressed as REVERED or HOLY (Psalms 111:9), this is not of the Truth. Christ is the Truth (John 14:6) and the "door" (John 10:9). Not passing through the "door" is thievery and robbery (John 10:1). Will they be at peace?

Psalms 111:9 "He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name."

c. That, if Jesus Christ was able to appoint Paul as an apostle in spite of His physical absence, can He not do the same today? Why do so-called apostles of Christ appoint fellow apostles? Did we find the Apostles, the "foundation of the Church" (Ephesians 2:20 ) ever appoint a fellow Apostle? Matthias was appointed by the Disciples as replacement for Judas Iscariot (Acts ___) before they received the Holy Spirit at Pentecost (Act__ ). Did our Lord honor that appointment? Did not our Lord appoint Paul instead ? Are the people concerned not get distraught? Will they be at peace?

Romans 1:1 "Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,"

Galatians 1:11 "But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. 12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ."

Did the Apostles apply the Apostolic Succession doctrine? Did Matthew really write "Go ye therefore and MAKE DISCIPLES of all nation" (Matthew 28:19)? Mark wrote "Go ye and teach all nations (Mark 16:15 ). The writing of Mark matches that written by Paul in:

Ephesians 4:11 "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;"

Do so-called Apostles of Christ today notice the tampering of Matthew 28:19 in practically all Bible versions, except in the Authorized or KJV version of 1611, where DENOMINATIONS are thought to have been given the authority to appoint "apostles of Christ? This is the evidence for the wrong notion:

Matthew 28:19 (NIV) "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing…"

Matthew 28:19 (Living Bible) "Therefore go and make disciples in all nations, baptizing…"

Matthew 28:19 (Confraternity-Douay version) "Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing…"

Compare the verse in the following:

Matthew 28:19 (KJV) "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing…"

Mark 16:15 "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature."

Who appoints Apostles? The Church or denomination? Or, Jesus Christ?

Ephesians 4:11 "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;"

Who teach or endow spiritual knowledge to the chosen apostles/pastors? The Church/ denomination? Or, God?

1 John 2:27 "But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you:…"

James 1:5 "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God…6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. 7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord 8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways."

If our Lord Jesus Christ was able to appoint PAUL as an apostle in His physical absence, can He not do the same today? All the time?

Romans 1:1 "Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,"

Galatians 1:11 "But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. 12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ."

Jesus was hated and ridiculed by the religious people. Christ is the TRUTH. Is there beauty in the Truth?

Isaiah 53:1 "Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed? 2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. 3 He is despised and rejected of men…"

Will not Truth be equally despised, hated, and finally crucified? With this revelation of truth, is not man’s "ways and thoughts" on Seminaries and Bible schools fully exposed? (Isaiah 55:8-9) Are the people concerned not getting distraught? Will they be at peace ? (For details, read the articles: THE SHEPHERD, ORIGIN OF THE PASTORAL SYSTEM, APOSTOLIC SUCCESSION DOCTRINE.)

1. Based from what is written in the Holy Bible, Bible schools and seminaries have no place in the eyes of God. To prove that these institutions are but the fruit of human wisdom, denominations that divide Christianity have their respective training schools and each is claiming the truth. The truth is only God is the Teacher. Only God should "speak over the microphone" and no one else. His true servants serve only as the "speaker system." They cannot take the role of God. Are people concerned at peace on hearing this?

James 1:5 "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. 7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. 8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways."

1 John 2:27 "But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth…"

2.  Let people choose between Jesus Christ and the religious leaders on the application of TITHES & OFFERING. There is a law in the Old Testament, which God required His chosen to pay TITHES. Jesus said, " Matthew 5:17 "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil." Why did Christ and His apostles not preach this law to be followed LITERALLY as religious leaders follow it today? Are people concerned not distraught with this truth?

3.  Jesus and His apostles did not build PHYSICAL chapels, churches, and cathedrals for God does not dwell in temples made with hands (Acts 7:47-49). Rather, they built SPIRITUAL temples, the real believers, as residence of God (1 Corinthians 3:16).

1 Corinthians 3:16 "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God , and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?"

In the chapels, churches, and cathedrals, who is looked up as the teacher and leader? Are the worshippers truly treated as "brethren" and no one among called "Father" or "Rabbi" that means teacher or leader (Matthew 23:8-10)? To call people’s attention to this, will they be at ease? Shall we find peace?

"And the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full." Literally, this is water that filled the ship badgering the apostles greatly. In the Spiritual Language of God, water has several references:

As previously stated, "water" may refer to people (Revelation 17:15 ). In this case, our Lord showed peace as He was not affected at all by the people around Him. The Scribes and Pharisees and the Jews in general tried to rob Him of His peace . They sneered and ridiculed Him:

John 10:20 "And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him?"

They falsely accused and succeeded in crucifying Him on the cross. "He was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow!"

In the narrower sense, "water" pertains to the person (Psalms 22:14 ). While in the Garden of Gethsemane , our Lord was greatly troubled thinking of what would happen to Him. He said, "Father let this cup pass over me." Our Lord was troubled. However, when He submitted to the will of the Father, "Not My will but Yours be done," He was at peace to Himself again.

Another reference to "Water" is the word of God:

Ephesians 5:26 "That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,"

"Great waves" pertained to the word of God leveled against our Lord by the Teachers of the Law. He was accused of violating the Law on Sabbath, unclean food, tooth for a tooth, washing of hands, etc. He simply said,

"Matthew 5:17 "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil."

He was speaking the SPIRITUAL LANGUAGE of God. But the people did not understand Him. He was speaking the Truth. Truth had never been attractive to them. But truth is always at peace with the words of God!

Isaiah 29:13 "Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me… and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men: 14 Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid."

THE WISE AND FOOLISH BUILDERS

Our Lord gave the parable of the wise builder. Strong wind and floods did not destroy the house. The references to "wind" and "water " equally apply in this parable. The house is the temple upon which God resides. Faith is the strength of the construction that is built on the Rock. The house remained standing and the builder found himself completely at peace .

Matthew 7:24 "Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock."

1 Corinthians 10:4 "And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ."

1 Corinthians 3:16 "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God , and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?"

The foolish builder (Matthew 26:27), on the other hand, whose house is built on sand, it easily tumbled as strong wind and floods rumbled against it. Sand symbolizes people (Genesis 32:12, Isaiah 10:22 ). Faith founded on human doctrines easily disintegrates against the truth in the words of God. Peace is nowhere to be found!

PEACE A FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT

In the language of God peace is a "fruit" of the Holy Spirit.

Galatians 5:22 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace , longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance…"

Man’s notion of peace means solution to problems and uncertainties in life. It is obtained with human efforts through self-discipline and mind conditioning. This is peace as it relates to PHYSICAL LIFE. Peace in the language of God is a fruit of the Spirit. It relates to the SPIRITUAL LIFE of a true believer which the Natural Man will not even appreciate.

What was seen in Jesus Christ, the "chief corner stone," was later also seen in the apostles who are the "foundation." At first, they were greatly troubled as the storm rages, "they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?" In their life, the peace demonstrated by Christ was also found in them.

The apostles went through the Way shown by our Lord. They lived our Lord’s life. They went through all kinds of tests and persecution. Stephen, in the hands of Saul of Tarsus (Acts 7) and Paul before Festus, Agrippa and Felix (Acts 24 & 25). The first century Christians in the cruel hands of Roman Emperors passed through the same route. Like our Lord and the apostles, however, we found them "in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow." This truth will never pass away. We must see it in the true believers in our time. The TRUTH is born!

Luke 2:11 "For unto you is born this day…a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. …13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace , good will toward men."

PEACE on earth! Really? Has the earth known peace since the birth of our Lord? What is EARTH to the Natural Man (1 Corinthians 2:14 )? Is it not the inanimate planet?

What is EARTH to the Spiritual Man (1 Corinthians 2:16 )? The EARTH has ears that could hear. They are God’s chosen few!

Jeremiah 22:29
"O earth, earth, earth, hear the word of the LORD."

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