Four Steps That Lead To Peace
by Michelle Stace
“Be desirous of doing the will of
another, rather than thine own.”
“Choose always to have less, rather than more.”
“Seek always the lowest place, and to be inferior to everyone.”
“Wish always, and
pray, that the will of God may be wholly fulfilled in thee.”
I came across these 4 steps in a most wonderful book called “Stepping Heavenward,”
by Mrs. E. Prentiss (They were written by Thomas a Kempis in "Imitation of Christ."). At
a glance there seems to be nothing here that would promote peace. In fact, the opposite
looks to be true. But if one ponders them and looks to Scripture as a guide, much
beautiful truth will be seen. As a Christian our goal is to imitate the life of
Christ. If we study His life we see that He was always in perfect peace. By living
for Him, not only will we be glorifying God, but His peace will be produced in us.
Before this peace can become ours, there is a big obstacle to overcome, and
that is self. Self rebels at denial and must be removed from our “inner throne” so
that the Lord Jesus can rightfully be placed there. The life of the Christian is
to be “delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be
made manifest in our mortal flesh.” All that we are is to be devoted to Him, which
shows itself by obedience to Him. When we realize God’s ways are best, we begin
to understand that God works in paradoxes, which are things that seem to be contradictions; such
as these 4 steps to peace. Selfishness is one of the greatest causes of unhappiness
because one is never satisfied. Most of us have experienced this: the more we think
about self, the more unhappy we become, but the more we do for others, the more fulfilled
we are -
The first step to peace tells
us to “desire doing the will of another, instead of our own.” This means sacrifice;
stopping whatever we are doing to listen or serve another. A humble attitude recognizes
the importance of another. “Look not every man on his own things (interests), but
every man also on the things of others” (Phil.2:4). This is sacrificial love, the
kind of love that Jesus has for each of us: “For I came down from heaven, not to
do Mine own will, but the will of Him that sent Me.” Jesus accepted the will of
the Father even though He knew that it would bring Him intense suffering. But the
outcome was a hundredfold in joy! As we learn to willingly sacrifice self in little
daily tasks for others, we will experience the same.
The second step says to
“choose less, rather than more.” This is really just common sense because if we
choose less, we will be easily satisfied. We won’t be spending our energies striving
for more, more, more, which does not bring lasting contentment. It is only in the
fullness of Jesus that this can be done. Paul says in Phil. 3:8 “ . . . I count
all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for
whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I
may win Christ.” Paul had prestige, pedigree, power and education; things which
elevate most people. These are all worldly things and came to mean nothing to Paul
in comparison to the spiritual riches Christ has to offer. “Let this mind be in
you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not
robbery to be equal with God”(Phil.2:5,6). Jesus never ceased being God when He
took on the form of man, but He did give-
The third
step for peace says to “seek the lowest place and to be inferior to others.” Jesus
told His disciples, “If any man desires to be first, the same shall be last of all, and
servant of all.” This is not what most of us want to hear. We like the place of
honor and the benefits that go with it. You may be thinking, "What about my rights? I
have the right to be treated with respect. I have the right to enjoy the good things
in life." Really? What rights did Christ cling to while on earth? Was He treated
with respect? Did He enjoy this world's goods? Who are we to think that we "deserve"
more than our Lord and Master? The apostle Paul was looked down on by some because
of his appearance and manner of speech. He was abused by many for the sake of the
gospel. But it didn't matter. He shared the gospel with God’s simplicity and compassionate
love that saw only the lost souls of others. He said this about Jesus in Phil. 2:7,8: “But
made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made
in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself,
and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” Can we, as the Lord’s
created beings, do anything less than to obey Him and humble ourselves?
The
last step for peace is for “the will of God to be fulfilled in us.” This is to be
sought after and prayed for. Part of the will of God for each believer is their
sanctification. He desires to make us holy as He is holy. He will “make you perfect
in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is well pleasing in
His sight.” For this to be achieved, submission to the Father is required. Belief
in His promises mingled with trust, produces a willingness to obey His commands thus
fulfilling His will. I think there is a lot of confusion in a believer in trying
to discern God's specific will for their life. But I feel that much of that could
be eliminated if one first sought to obey the known commands. We are to be faithful
in that which we already know. We are to be faithful in the little things; bringing
God's word into every aspect of our lives. God will not reveal His will to us in
a big issue if we are not being consistent in the little things. As that happens
God will then start to reveal more specific areas of His will for each life. Keep
in mind that if we feel that we are being directed in a certain direction, it will
never deny God's direct word, or principles that can be gleaned from His word.
The
Lord Jesus effectively sums up these 4 steps to peace saying in Matt.20:28: “Even
as the Son of man came not to be ministered (served) unto, but to minister (serve), and
to give His life a ransom for many.” May this be the desire of our hearts so that
we can say wholeheartedly: “the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, shall
keep your heart and mind through Christ Jesus.”