Peace with God
Another fruit of this living faith is peace. For, being justified by faith, having all our sins blotted out, we have peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1).
Our Lord himself, the night before his death, solemnly left this peace to all his followers. "Peace," he says, "I leave with you," you who believe in God, and believe also in me. "My peace I give to you (John 14:27). Not as the world gives do I give to you (John 14:27). Do not let your heart be troubled, and do not let it be afraid" (John 14:27). And again, "These things I have spoken to you, that in me you might have peace" (John 16:33).
This is that peace of God which passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7), that serenity of soul which it has not entered into the heart of a natural man to conceive (1 Corinthians 2:9), and which even the spiritual man cannot utter. It is a peace which all the powers of earth and hell are unable to take from him. Waves and storms beat upon it, but they do not shake it, for it is founded upon a rock (Matthew 7:25). It keeps the hearts and minds of the children of God, at all times and in all places.
Whether they are in ease or in pain, in sickness or in health, in abundance or in want, they are happy in God. In every state they have learned to be content (Philippians 4:11), yes, to give thanks to God through Christ Jesus, being well assured that "whatever is, is best," because it is his will concerning them. So that in all the changes of life, their heart stands fast, believing in the Lord.
1771 text
7. Another fruit of this living faith is peace. For being justified by faith, having all our sins blotted out, we have peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ. This indeed our Lord himself, the night before his death, solemnly bequeathed to all his followers. Peace, saith he, I leave with you; (you who believe in God, and believe also in me) my peace I give unto you. Not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. And again, These things have I spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. This is that peace of God, which passeth all understanding, that serenity of soul, which it hath not entered into the heart of a natural man to conceive, and which it is not possible for even the spiritual man to utter. And it is a peace which all the powers of earth and hell are unable to take from him. Waves and storms beat upon it, but they shake it not; for it is founded upon a rock. It keepeth the hearts and minds of the children of God, at all times and in all places. Whether they are in ease or in pain, in sickness or health, in abundance or want, they are happy in God. In every state they have learned to be content, yea, to give thanks unto God through Christ Jesus: being well assured, that “Whatsoever is, is best;” because it is his will, concerning them. So that in all the vicissitudes of life, their heart standeth fast, believing in the Lord.
About this text
Rendered in modern English, to be read and heard. Open the 1771 text under each part to check the claims and the scripture.
Rendered in modern English. The 1771 panel is his own Pine printing of the Works. It is public domain.
Catalogue & scope
Sermon 18 in the 1771 Works. John 3:8.
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. It is not a complete critical edition.