Finding Peace
But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts. – Romans 13:14 NKJV.
Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh. – Romans 13:14 NIV.
For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. – Romans 8:5-6 NKJV.
It all started in 2009 for Luo Dan, that was when he found inner peace and released his inner deer. What? Luo Dan lives in Chonqing, China and 2009 was when he began to wear a large deer mask that completely encompasses his head every day. Dan wears the mask, not just in his home, but everywhere that he goes. As to why Dan wears the mask he says, “The deer is a tame animal. Wearing its mask, I could find a long-missing inner peace. When I wear the mask, I feel I am a deer from within.” (Metro.co.uk 04.12.13)
You have to admire Luo Dan for seeking after a good thing, peace. In his own way, Dan seems to be seeking God. If only someone could share with him about the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6) who through the Holy Spirit will live within (1 Corinthians 3:16) those who know Jesus as their Savior. Peace, appears to be a fleeting thing for so many with the pressures of modern life. In the 21st Century, there are so many distractions, so many worries, cares, and problems that drain away our peace.
Thinking about Luo Dan wearing his deer mask and releasing his “inner deer” can give us insight as to the application of Romans 13:14 and also Romans 8:5-6. As believers, we do not have to put on a deer mask and wear it around every day; instead, we are to “put on the Lord Jesus Christ.” We are to “put on” or “clothe” ourselves with Jesus and do what? Release our inner deer? No, we are to release Jesus through the Holy Spirit so He is displayed in our lives. As we live clothed in Jesus, acting as Jesus would act, thinking as Jesus would think; we will be “spiritually minded” and the result will be “life and peace.”
In 2 Peter 3:10-13, we are told of the coming “day of the Lord” that will come as a “thief in the night.” Then we have 2 Peter 3:14 which says, “Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him (Jesus) in peace, without spot and blameless.” Are you “in peace” in your life now? If not, you can be by putting on, clothing yourself with the Lord Jesus Christ. Allow the Holy Spirit who lives within to be released; displaying the attributes of Jesus in your actions and in your thoughts, and you will have “life and peace.”
(Do you want peace in your life? You can have it!)