Conditions of Peace

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In the midst of nuclear war threats made by ruling authorities ranging from kingdoms ran by dictators all the way to governments ran by presidents, we are seeing men in power determine their own country's conditions for peace in order to to maintain the sovereignty of these countries and kingdoms. As kingdoms threaten to take over other sovereign kingdoms, the world is watching to see who will choose war and who will cower to accept the requirements for peace. 

At first thought, one could say that the world has gone mad. However, there is a bigger war that is taking place simultaneously on the inside of each human being that adds gasoline to the flames we see bringing great devastation to humanity today. 

As I pondered this matter in more depth, I came to the realization that through the Gospel of Jesus, the Kingdom of Heaven has also emphasized its condition for internal peace. 

33 So then, any of you who does not forsake (renounce, surrender claim to, give up, [a] say good-bye to) all that he has cannot be My disciple. Luke 14:33 AMPC

These conditions include the full surrender of one's life and desires. Much similar to the ultimatum that was given to the President of Venezuela by the President of America, to completely relinquish control or go to prison, we as humans are faced with a similar decision. Either we fully relinquish the control and direction of our lives or we remain imprisoned by the ways and desires of the flesh.

4 So that the righteous and just requirement of the Law might be fully met in us who live and move not in the ways of the flesh but in the ways of the Spirit [our lives governed not by the standards and according to the dictates of the flesh, but controlled by the Holy Spirit]. 5 For those who are according to the flesh and are controlled by its unholy desires set their minds on and [d]pursue those things which gratify the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit and are controlled by the desires of the Spirit set their minds on and [e]seek those things which gratify the [Holy] Spirit. Romans 8:4-5 AMPC

In the Gospels, Jesus emphatically states what it takes to be His disciple. Through the acceptance of His terms, we see the potential for a peace that surpasses all understanding.

26 If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his [own] father and mother [[a]in the sense of indifference to or relative disregard for them in comparison with his attitude toward God] and [likewise] his wife and children and brothers and sisters—[yes] and even his own life also—he cannot be My disciple. 27 Whoever does not persevere and carry his own cross and come after (follow) Me cannot be My disciple. 28 For which of you, wishing to build a [b]farm building, does not first sit down and calculate the cost [to see] whether he has sufficient means to finish it? 29 Otherwise, when he has laid the foundation and is unable to complete [the building], all who see it will begin to mock and jeer at him, 30 Saying, This man began to build and was not able ([c]worth enough) to finish. 31 Or what king, going out to engage in conflict with another king, will not first sit down and consider and take counsel whether he is able with ten thousand [men] to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32 And if he cannot [do so], when the other king is still a great way off, he sends an envoy and asks the terms of peace. 33 So then, any of you who does not forsake (renounce, surrender claim to, give up, [d]say good-bye to) all that he has cannot be My disciple. Luke14:26-33 AMPC

All around the world we have tried to change or dilute the conditions Jesus set through His teaching of the Gospel. This has led to many people claiming Jesus but not truly experiencing the peace that He promised. Much similar to the requirement of the conditions for peace set by modern politicians to be fulfilled completely, our internal peace will not be sustained either without the full conditions of Jesus being met.

3 And to the angel (messenger) of the assembly (church) in Sardis write: These are the words of Him Who has the seven Spirits of God [[a]the sevenfold Holy Spirit] and the seven stars: I know your record and what you are doing; you are supposed to be alive, but [in reality] you are dead. 2 Rouse yourselves and keep awake, and strengthen and invigorate what remains and is on the point of dying; for I have not found a thing that you have done [any work of yours] meeting the requirements of My God or perfect in His sight. Revelation3:1-2 AMPC

We see people everywhere who claim to believe but lack the fruit to validate their claim to faith. Joy has become more of a miracle, a once in a lifetime fantasy, rather than an everyday experience. We must go back and examine the conditions that were set by Jesus, the Son of God, to understand what makes true peace obtainable.

5 Examine and test and evaluate your own selves to see whether you are holding to your faith and showing the proper fruits of it. Test and prove yourselves [[a]not Christ]. Do you not yourselves realize and know [thoroughly by an ever-increasing experience] that Jesus Christ is in you—unless you are [counterfeits] disapproved on trial and rejected? 2 Corinthians 13:5 AMPC

If we are not willing to surrender to His conditions for peace, we will remain at war with ourselves and, unfortunately, each other as well.