Ps 119:165 "Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them." KJV
Are you easily offended? What does it take before you lose your peace and become wounded by the way others treat you or by what they say about you? Can you imagine a state of peace that is allowed such complete dominion in your heart that nothing can offend you? This is hope presented by the words of Psalm 119:165. Great peace and an unoffendable heart await the person who has bound themselves to the word of God.
How do I reach this place of unshakable peace you may ask? Isaiah answers this question in Isa 26:3 “You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.” NKJV There is a perfect peace awaiting the person who lives with their thoughts fixed on God and His word. This is a promise not just a distant possibility. Throughout the scriptures this theme is repeated, that a person can live with their heart anchored in a place of peace that protects them from being offended, distracted, wounded or embittered. This does not mean that this person will never feel the sting of betrayal or offense but that they peace of Christ will rise up within them and restore them quickly to a state or rest that allows no root to form inside their inner most being.
Jesus himself was mocked, abused, mistreated and lied about and yet he maintained a state of rest before God that allowed him to forgive his tormentors and consistently respond in an opposite spirit to the offenses coming against him. His instruction to his disciples that we should love our enemies, pray for our persecutors and turn the other cheek when people strike us confront our minds with a standard that seems impossible in the power of our human nature but that is the point entirely. We have been empowered in this life by the indwelling Holy Spirit and the instruction of the word of God to live beyond the strength of our own character and nature. Paul told his spiritual son Timothy in 2 Tim 1:6-7 “Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” NKJV
We are a supernaturally empowered people who have been given a divine influence to govern our minds and the things that flow out of us. Paul tells Timothy to stir up this gift! Peace is a gift! Freedom from chronic offense is a supernaturally empowered gift! There is a perfect peace that comes from training our minds and spirits to live ever in the presence of Christ by faith. In another passage Paul told Timothy Col 3:15-16 “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.” NIV Good news people of God – the peace of Christ can rule inside of you!!! You do not have to be a victim of your wounded emotions any more. There is a peace that comes from knowing Christ and walking in His Spirit that can keep your life from being ruled by the treatment of others. When we live constantly before Christ the treatment of others loses its power over us. Fix your eyes on Him and let His word dwell in you richly and you will find a peace and rest like you have never known.
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