IT.

The LORD JESUS, when on earth, said, "Peace I leave with you, 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." But here it is the SPIRIT
who is spoken of as bestowing peace: why is this? Because the SPIRIT of
GOD makes real things real to _us_, and enables us practically to enjoy
the blessings procured for us by the death and resurrection and priestly
ministry of the LORD JESUS. Many a believer to whom CHRIST has left
peace, knows little of it; but those who are filled with the SPIRIT are
filled with peace. They have peace with GOD; they have also heart-peace
in the midst of conflict and turmoil; and the peace of GOD, which
passeth all understanding, guards their hearts and thoughts. The fruit
of the SPIRIT is love, joy, peace.

Are _we_ practically enjoying this blessing, and experiencing this peace
which passes all understanding? Are we _finding_ that when He makes
quietness, none can make trouble? And if not, what is the hindrance? Is
there any known sin unconfessed, or not put away? Has wrong been done,
and restitution to the extent of our ability not been made? Is there any
matter in which GOD has a controversy with us? Or are we indulging
ourselves in anything about which we have doubt? Are we withholding
anything from GOD which is His due--ourselves, our property, our
children; or, it may be, our testimony? Or, if none of these things are
hindering us, are we failing to _accept_, by faith, the filling of the
SPIRIT; perhaps only asking, but not receiving also? Is it that we are
neglecting the prayerful study of GOD'S Word, and thus grieving the
SPIRIT by whom it was inspired? Paul asked GOD to give the Ephesian
Christians the SPIRIT of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of
CHRIST, that they might know the hope of His calling and the exceeding
greatness of His power toward them _that believe_. We do well to note
the words "that believe," for unbelief lies at the root of every form of
hindrance.

As the SPIRIT reveals CHRIST, so does CHRIST bestow the SPIRIT; and by
faith in CHRIST and in His Word we appropriate the gift. We shall never
forget the blessing we received through the words, in John iv. 14,
"Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him

SHALL NEVER THIRST,"

nearly thirty years ago. As we realized that CHRIST literally meant what
He said--that "shall" meant shall, and "never" meant never, and "thirst"