Restless—Peaceful

Restless—Peaceful

Cain was a vagabond and fugitive on the earth. It was a terrible state to be in. Instead of wandering about restlessly on the earth, as so many do today, we can, through the power of the gospel and the word of the cross, partake of an unshakable inner peace and joy in all of life’s situations.

“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Phil. 4:7.

Restlessness begins as a small, inner thought in the most hidden recesses of the heart and takes root in envy and other transgressions of God’s laws and commandments. These restless thoughts gnaw their way through like rats and are the cause of much uneasiness. Everything that is evil can only produce evil! It makes itself felt everywhere. We need to be watchful and awake so that no bitter root springs up and causes trouble for ourselves and for others. Heb. 12:15. “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” Luke 6:45.

Strong human spirits who are skilled orators, as well as those who always want to assert their rights, will never have peace. They will remain restless.

Only the humble receive grace to melt together in one Spirit. It was Jesus’ desire that the fire of love and wisdom might burn in the disciples’ hearts, but the fire of Pentecost had not yet come. They were wondering which of them was the greatest. These thoughts were to be consumed by God’s fire.

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” Matt. 5:9. As children of God we hate everything that causes unrest, and we bring a peace with us that results in joy and blessing. Such people do not seek honor or gain. They do not tolerate anything that disturbs the unity in the brotherhood. As children of God they will inherit all things together with Jesus. They have chosen to follow Him in His humiliation, and they will also be exalted together with Him in glory. Phil. 3:20-21.

By making use of the letter, Satan has always attempted to lead the Christians away from the way of the cross and the sufferings, which is the only way to glory. Jesus went before us as our example; He was the first brother and is the greatest of all the brethren.

Peter tried to make the way easier for Jesus when he heard how He would have to suffer. “But He turned and said to Peter: ‘Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.’ Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.’” Matt. 16:23-24. There have never been many people on this way. On this way the gate is strait and the way is narrow, but it also leads to life and an abundance of life right to the Father’s throne where the host of overcomers is gathered. “To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.” Rev. 3:21.

In our days a false love has entered the religious world as never before. They have found an “easier way,” a way without the cross, the sufferings, and the humiliation. “And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name.” Phil. 2:8-9.

“For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.” Ch. 3:20-21. If we are faithful in following Jesus in His humiliation, we will also, with a glorified body, share the glory with Him in the resurrection.

The many who rejoice in their false liberty outside of the way of the cross have been led astray by the spirit of Satan and Antichrist. They are seeking an easier way, but they will experience that that way is hard.

After the day of Pentecost, Peter also saw the way of the cross and sufferings as the only way to true glory. “But rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.” 1 Pet. 4:13.

“I came to send fire on the earth, and how I wish it wee already kindled!” Luke 12:49. Honor and greatness are firmly ingrained, so it takes a heavenly fire to consume all this terrible stuff that has been the cause of so much evil in the entire world.

The humble and God-fearing have always had an open door that leads to eternal glory.

The door has always been closed to the arrogant. But all the doors can be opened if a person acknowledges his sin and is converted to the new life in Jesus Christ—“Dead to sin but alive to God.” Evil spirit powers that break a person down follow with each sin. Such people become restless and troubled. By overcoming sin, a person becomes peaceful and happy.

Many “clever” brains down through the years have attempted to build a church according to their understanding and their opinions, but all such attempts were doomed to fail. The church can be built only as a result of the effects that proceed from the head, which is Christ, and all glory belongs to Him.