The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1917-01-19

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 1t 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 1t 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-
copied him as our Savior. 1t is an in
alienable possession, 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 1t "my peace BY this, he must
and which filed 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 Of
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
Christ's, he bequeathes to US. What
else can it be, but the peace spoken of
by the Apostle as "the peace of God
which passeth all understanding"
(Phil. 4:7) 1t must be that, for who
can understand the quiet poise of a
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 with
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 peace
is the portion of every one who truly
has made Christ his Savior. 1t Is his
whether he feels 1t or not; and to
know If he possesses it, he should look
not to his feelings, but to the fact
that Christ has made peace by the
blood Of his cross and that he by faith
has accepted Christ and the peace
which he made.
The second peace, namely, the
peace of God may be the portion of
every believer. 1t Is possessed not
by trying, but by trusting. 1t comes
when one yields fully his life to Christ
though the storms beat about the head,
and the heavens seem ready to fall
the mind will be kept by the peace of
God through Christ Jesus. The proph.
ct Isaias expresses this truth (26:3)
when he says: "Thou wilt keep him In
perfect peace whose mind Is stayed on
thee: because he trusteth In thee"
That is It; the mind stayed on the
Lord Jehovah experiences the keeping
power Of him who Is everlasting
strength.
There comes to my heart one sweet strain
A glad and joyous refrain.
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