The new birth Jesus gives is a new spirit which comes from God. We are literally born again. We are then given power over our old nature to say no to the sinful things it desires. When Jesus comes for us in death or on the day he returns for all his people, we will receive a new body and the old, sinful nature we were born with will die permanently, while we continue to live in the born again spirit that came from God.
Jesus gives us peace! It belongs to us, but it can be a war to say no to the old nature and live "in Jesus" and his peace. This is done through prayer and surrendering our wills to the will of the One who loved us and gave his life for us, Jesus the Messiah. He is truly working out our lives and when we surrender to his direction, we will find peace that passes understanding. We cannot die, but only leave this body and go to be with the Lord. Do not be afraid of what is coming on the earth. We cannot die.
In the following passage Jesus is about to go to the cross and is instructing his disciples on how to find peace in times of trouble.
John 16 ISV
31Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? 32Listen, the time is coming, indeed it has already come, when you will be scattered, each of you to his own home, and you will leave me all by myself. Yet I’m not alone, because the Father is with me. 33I have told you this so that through me you may have peace. In the world you’ll have trouble, but be courageous—I’ve overcome the world!”
The Apostle Paul, as directed by the Holy Spirit tells us the following:
Philippians 4 ISV
4Keep on rejoicing in the Lord at all times. I will say it again: Keep on rejoicing!
- 5Let your gracious attitudec be known to all people.
- The Lord is near: 6Never worry about anything.
- Instead, in every situation let your petitions be made known to God through prayers and requests, with thanksgiving.
7Then God’s peace, which goes far beyond anything we can imagine, will guard your hearts and minds in union with the Messiahd Jesus.
8Finally, brothers,
- whatever is true,
- whatever is honorable,
- whatever is fair, whatever is pure,
- whatever is acceptable,
- whatever is commendable,
- if there is anything of excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy—
- keep thinking about these things.
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