Ministers Blogs
“"Peace on Earth"”
Ironic! Several years ago, at Christmastime it was reported that two dozen gunmen had seized Town Hall in Bethlehem, holding the local governor at bay. Of course news of violence, radical religious extremism and unrest are daily news from this part of the world, And yet, two thousand years ago, an angel of the Lord appeared to shepherds in this same land and announced. "We bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people, for there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior who is Christ the Lord...and there was with the angel a multitude of heavenly host praising God and saying "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace and goodwill to men" (Luke 2:9-14).
I have been asked "Whatever happened to this promise of peace? If the coming of Jesus into the world was meant to bring peace - it certainly never happened! War, crime, civil unrest and rebellion continue to prevail in the world."
My answer is: "Jesus did bring peace!" How do I know? "He brought peace to me!" Jesus promised peace, not to the world on a wholesale basis, but to each individual who loves Him and will keep His word. (John 14:23) He said "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled neither let it be afraid." (John 14:27)
The reason that man is troubled and afraid is because he has been alienated by sin from the God who loves and has created us. "Your iniquities have separated you from your God and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear." (Isaiah 59:1-2) Thomas Aquinas correctly stated that man "cannot rest until he rests in Thee." The purpose of Jesus’ coming into the world was to die on the cross - so the just penalty for our sins could be paid. Once our sin had been atoned for by the blood of Jesus - God was free to offer us forgiveness and reconciliation. By the sacrifice of Jesus, God "reconciled all things to Himself...having made peace through the blood of His cross. And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled." (Colossians 1:21-22)
Because of the cross of Jesus, I am at peace with God. No longer do I have to be worried about the sins of my past - they have been forgiven! No longer do I have to fear the Judgment - I am justified by the blood of Jesus. Because of Jesus, I have a relationship with God that is based upon love and characterized by hope and the assurance of salvation.
Because Jesus came, not only do we have peace with God, we are also at peace with ourselves. Sin is such a destructive force in the lives of every man. Whether we realize it or not, the sinner is tormented by the guilt of how his actions have hurt both God and his fellowman. Jesus not only offers us peace with God, but He also teaches us to live in peace. In Isaiah 48:18 God lamented, "Oh that you had heeded My commandments! Then your peace would have been like a river."
Living by God’s commands not only will bring peace in our own life, it will also allow is to live in peace with one another. I have seen countless examples of dissention between neighbors, families and friends that have been resolved peacefully because the spirit of God prevailed. Jesus said "Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God." (Matthew 5:9)
I recently saw a bumper sticker that said it all: Know Jesus - Know peace. No Jesus - No peace! The only way for man to have true peace with God, himself and his fellowman is by obedience to the gospel. That is why the scripture says "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things." (Romans 10:15)
