"which passeth all understanding..."
Statements like this remind us that there are some things we just won't understand completely. We will experience them, through the grace of God, but we just can't truly understand. In this instance, I think Paul is telling us that while we will experience the peace of God when we place our cares in His hands, we can't understand or explain the depth of the complete peace that God imposes to us. It is unlike the peace of the world (as Jesus told His disciples), that comes and goes with various circumstances. God's peace carries us through all conditions, no matter what.
It is impossible to explain to someone who has not entered into a trusting relationship with God, who has not experienced the true peace of God when it seems incomprehensible to be at peace in a situation of turmoil or sadness, that this deep, abiding peace is real and available to all.
Just as Paul says in 1 Corinthians 1:18, that the message of the cross is foolishness to those who don't believe, the understanding of this peace is beyond reach for those who have not come to the knowledge of salvation through the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit. Read this verse in the paraphrase furnished by The Message:
Statements like this remind us that there are some things we just won't understand completely. We will experience them, through the grace of God, but we just can't truly understand. In this instance, I think Paul is telling us that while we will experience the peace of God when we place our cares in His hands, we can't understand or explain the depth of the complete peace that God imposes to us. It is unlike the peace of the world (as Jesus told His disciples), that comes and goes with various circumstances. God's peace carries us through all conditions, no matter what.
It is impossible to explain to someone who has not entered into a trusting relationship with God, who has not experienced the true peace of God when it seems incomprehensible to be at peace in a situation of turmoil or sadness, that this deep, abiding peace is real and available to all.
Just as Paul says in 1 Corinthians 1:18, that the message of the cross is foolishness to those who don't believe, the understanding of this peace is beyond reach for those who have not come to the knowledge of salvation through the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit. Read this verse in the paraphrase furnished by The Message:
The Message that points to Christ on the Cross seems like sheer silliness to those hellbent on destruction, but for those on the way of salvation it makes perfect sense. This is the way God works, and most powerfully as it turns out."This is the way God works..." a way that reserves His most special gifts to His children until the point of their acknowledgement of Him as their loving Father. His gifts of true peace, and subsequently, abiding joy. You can't explain it, but the Holy Spirit is ready to give these gifts to anyone who surrenders their will to His, their heart to Him.
1 comment:
I understand that God gives me peace, I feel His comfort. I don't understand how His presence is so powerful. It is through faith that I believe, not understanding.
Post a Comment