Be of Good Cheer

By Johny M. Northcutt

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     The words of Jesus are precious to me. He is the Son of God and he said that he spoke what he heard his Father speak, and he did what he saw his Father do. His words are truth, power, spirit and life. Many good people hold that Jesus worked his wonderful miracles to prove that he was the Christ. This is true but he was motivated by compassion more than by a desire to show his power. We have a wonderful Savior, and it is unfortunate that some who know his blessed words are fearful, doubting and self-condemning.

     Jesus was telling the disciples of his impending crucifixion when he said, "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me you might have peace; in the world you will have tribulations, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." He did not say, "Go and overcome the world and the flesh and then be of good cheer." He said to be of good cheer now. The key is to be in Jesus. He will enter the heart of anyone who will ask. Knock and the door will be opened. Seek God and you will find him. Jesus has invited us to walk with him.

     One of the glorious rewards of being in Jesus is peace. Jesus said, "Peace I bring to you, peace I leave with you; let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." I have heard some who had a knowledge of the scriptures say, "I do not know if I will be saved or not. If I am found worthy I might make it." These people are like a child who comes to your door starving to death. You take the child into your home and set food before it, but it does not eat. This would occasion sadness for you, and these people grieve the

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heart of God. They will not eat of the bread or drink of the water that Jesus offers. They simply sit in uncertain torment, not really believing that Jesus died as an atonement for their sins.

     Jesus says, "Go in peace; your sins are forgiven." But these people will not forgive themselves. They will not leave their physical shroud to enter into the spiritual peace with Jesus. Jesus said, "Whoever puts his hand to the plow and looks back is not fit for the kingdom of God." Dear ones in Christ, look beyond the tribulations of this world to the glories of heaven and be of good cheer. We are clean in Jesus. We are purified by faith. Fear not little flock, it is the good pleasure of the Father to give us the kingdom.

     "There remains a rest to the people of God. He that enters into his rest has ceased from his own works as God did from his" (Hebrews 4:10). God entered into rest. He had created earth as a paradise for man. He was at peace with man. We enter into rest with God by and through the Spirit. We are at rest because we are at peace with God. We do not become idle, and neither has God become so. Working ceases to be a ladder or tower to salvation for us. It is a blessed relationship in Jesus and the overflow of His Spirit out of us will be our fruits and our works. Let Jesus lead you into green pastures. Lie down beside the still waters.

     Relationship with God in the Spirit is difficult for many good people to believe or understand. Peter said, "God made a choice among us that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the gospel and believe. God who knows the heart bear them witness, giving them the Holy Spirit even as he did to us, and put no difference between us; purifying their hearts by faith." He is talking about us. Read that passage over once more. Jesus said, "If my words abide in your heart, my Father will love you, and we will come and make our abode with you." What more blessed assurance does feeble man need to have peace, joy, and absolute forgiveness in his soul? Do not overlook the commandments of joy! Be of good cheer! Go in peace! Fear not! Do not be discouraged when you find these difficult to obey. Believe that Jesus dwells in you through the Spirit whom he promised to all who would ask, then enter into peace, joy and the blessedness of restful salvation.

     (Johny M. Northcutt lives at 7428 Arlington Drive, St. Louis, Mo. 63117).