The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1917-01-27

legacy of peace
Christ has left; the first thing we need
to know, If we would possess it, is
that he has left it for us. Ignorant OF
this fact, we would fail to take posses
sion of our inheritance. How true it
is, that it Is not what one has, but
what one knows he has that makes
him rich. And, we can well add, and
what he takes possession Of.
1t is evident from Christ's words an
nouncing this legacy that it Is two
fold peace. He speaks of leaving peace
and giving his peace. These cannot
be one and the same thing, for Christ
is never guilty of redundancy.
The peace Christ left us must be the
peace which he made for us by the
blood of his cross; that which Paul
calls, peace with God" This we know
was effected for us by Christ upon the
cross and became ours when we ac-
cepted him as our Savior. 1t is an in
alienable possession, a blessed, unal-
terable fact, that we have peace with
God, if Christ is ours.
But what now of this other peace
which Christ gives? He expressly
calls it "my peace" By this, he must
mean the peace which he possessed
and which filled his own life; not an
outward calm, but an inward quiet
ness. Away down in the sea, those
who dredge it's depths tell us there is
what is called the cushion. No mat.
ter how wildly the wind blows on the
surface, nor how tempestuous the
waves, down there at the cushion ot
the sea is an absolute calm. This, II
seems to me, represents the peace OF
Christ. 1t was the inner quietude of
his heart, though his life was swept
by storm. This peace, which was
Christs, he bequeathes to us. What
else can it be, but the peace spoken OF
by the Apostle as 1.-THE peace of God
which passeth all understanding
(Phil. 4:7.) 1t must be that, for who
can understand the quiet poise of q
suffering child of God? 1t is beyond
understanding, yet many child Of
God with yielded life has said with one
of old, though he STAY me, yet will
trust him."
But how can this peace be posses
sed? First, by possessing peace witt
God. There is no use trying to have
the second peace, If one does not have
the first. Peace with God makes pos
sible the peace of God. The first peac,
is the portion of every one who trul.
has made Christ his Savior It Is hi
whether he feels 1t or not; and t,
know if he possesses 1t, he should lool
not to his feelings, but to the fac
that Christ has made peace by tn
blood of his cross and that he by faitl
has accepted Christ and the peac
which he made.
The second peace, namely, tn
peace of God may be the portion O
every believer. 1t is possessed no
by trying, but by trusting. 1t come
when one yields fully his life to Chris
and relies upon him. Do that an
though the storms beat about the heat
and the heavens seem ready to fal
the mind will be kept by the Neace Q
God through Christ Jesus. Tho propf
ct Isaias expresses this truth (26:3
when lie says: "Thou wilt keep him
perfect peace whose mind is stayed o
thee: because he trusteth in thee.
That is it; the mind stayed on til
Lord Jehovah experiences the keepin
power of him who is everlastin
strength.
There comes to my heart one sweet strat
A glad and joyous refrain. ae
i sing it again and again,
Sweet peace the gift of Gods love.
Peace, peace. sweet peace,
Wonderful gift from above,
Oh wonderful, wonderful peace,
Sweet peace, the gift of Gods love.