The Peace of God
Christian Comment edited by D. Gander
with Dr. Mendel McEwen
On the first Saturday each month at 8:00 a.m., Olivet Baptist Church in Westport, Ontario, hosts a breakfast for men. The featured speaker last month was Dr. Mendel McEwen of Westport.
For Mendel, one of the greatest contributions of the Gospel and Christianity has been the Peace of God, which 'passes understanding'. Peace goes beyond the absence of conflict and distress, he said, which are "replaced by contentment and indeed, a level of joy."
Dr. McEwen quoted from Psalm 34:14, saying that we must 'seek Peace and pursue it'. So sometimes it eludes us. But Isaiah 26:3 offers a key, saying that God will keep a person 'in perfect Peace whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusts in Thee'. Mendel pointed out that Paul found this secret in saying, '...in whatsoever state I am, I have learned to be content'.
"That's the pursuit, keeping my mind on the Lord", said Mendel. "It's the key alright but also the crunch. How on this earth can I keep my mind stayed on the Lord and function on a practical level at the same time? I guess it's an attitude, a subconscious stance that must be applied to each and every circumstance. Crudely put, it is comparable to the frame of mind you have when driving on the highway. Every driving decision is made with the traffic police in mind. (And those who know me best, know that I speak from experience!). That's a simplistic example. There is some peace in maintaining this balance between the police and my driving. But once you have tasted the Peace above all understanding, it energizes you to continue to pursue it."
It's easy for the mind to wander from the Lord, but with passing years and experience God's peace comes more and more often, as a gift. During a difficult time recently Dr. McEwen felt this Peace "laid on me... when there was no Peace. Nothing I have experienced has been more real. I didn't generate it by my own active will, I didn't conjure it up from memory; it was just given to me. It was a Peace unique and above all understanding, and as tangible as a mouth full of honey. When I had reached the point where I could not bear the burden and endure the mental conflict, I prayed for relief and received Peace."
There are many factors that contribute to our inner peace, including the care of our physical and emotional health. But the gift of Peace, Mendel said, includes the forgiveness of sins in Christ, knowing that "the sins I have committed are forgiven and... my future sins will be forgiven as I am made aware of them. As I seek righteousness, I am made daily aware of my unrighteousness in every segment of my life. The Holy Spirit and the Word of God see to that."
And "...the Lord Jesus Christ Himself is 'our Peace'", said Dr. McEwen quoting Eph.2:14, John 14:27, Romans 5:1, Isaiah 9:6, Heb.13:20 & 7:2, and 1 Cor.14:33. "So the pursuit of Peace and its rewards are what Christianity means most to me, since it puts me in a proper relationship with my Creator, myself, and my neighbour. Whatever it takes, this pursuit is worth it."
with Dr. Mendel McEwen
On the first Saturday each month at 8:00 a.m., Olivet Baptist Church in Westport, Ontario, hosts a breakfast for men. The featured speaker last month was Dr. Mendel McEwen of Westport.
For Mendel, one of the greatest contributions of the Gospel and Christianity has been the Peace of God, which 'passes understanding'. Peace goes beyond the absence of conflict and distress, he said, which are "replaced by contentment and indeed, a level of joy."
Dr. McEwen quoted from Psalm 34:14, saying that we must 'seek Peace and pursue it'. So sometimes it eludes us. But Isaiah 26:3 offers a key, saying that God will keep a person 'in perfect Peace whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusts in Thee'. Mendel pointed out that Paul found this secret in saying, '...in whatsoever state I am, I have learned to be content'.
"That's the pursuit, keeping my mind on the Lord", said Mendel. "It's the key alright but also the crunch. How on this earth can I keep my mind stayed on the Lord and function on a practical level at the same time? I guess it's an attitude, a subconscious stance that must be applied to each and every circumstance. Crudely put, it is comparable to the frame of mind you have when driving on the highway. Every driving decision is made with the traffic police in mind. (And those who know me best, know that I speak from experience!). That's a simplistic example. There is some peace in maintaining this balance between the police and my driving. But once you have tasted the Peace above all understanding, it energizes you to continue to pursue it."
It's easy for the mind to wander from the Lord, but with passing years and experience God's peace comes more and more often, as a gift. During a difficult time recently Dr. McEwen felt this Peace "laid on me... when there was no Peace. Nothing I have experienced has been more real. I didn't generate it by my own active will, I didn't conjure it up from memory; it was just given to me. It was a Peace unique and above all understanding, and as tangible as a mouth full of honey. When I had reached the point where I could not bear the burden and endure the mental conflict, I prayed for relief and received Peace."
There are many factors that contribute to our inner peace, including the care of our physical and emotional health. But the gift of Peace, Mendel said, includes the forgiveness of sins in Christ, knowing that "the sins I have committed are forgiven and... my future sins will be forgiven as I am made aware of them. As I seek righteousness, I am made daily aware of my unrighteousness in every segment of my life. The Holy Spirit and the Word of God see to that."
And "...the Lord Jesus Christ Himself is 'our Peace'", said Dr. McEwen quoting Eph.2:14, John 14:27, Romans 5:1, Isaiah 9:6, Heb.13:20 & 7:2, and 1 Cor.14:33. "So the pursuit of Peace and its rewards are what Christianity means most to me, since it puts me in a proper relationship with my Creator, myself, and my neighbour. Whatever it takes, this pursuit is worth it."
