The PEACE OF GOD

"Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, good will toward men".  Each year this theme is the basis for everything; sermons, pageants, TV advertising and political hype of all kinds.  "Glory to God", is seldom referred to but an increasing emphasis is on, "good will toward men." Unquestionably, the scriptures promise peace through Jesus the Christ, but it is 'not' peace for the world, nor god will 'toward' all men. This phrase from Luke 2:14, is a mistranslation from the original Greek, in which should read: "on earth peace among men of good will." There is no promise here that all the earth will be blessed with peace and good will, but that Christ will give peace to a certain people, those of truly 'good will', children of God!

Not peace, but a sword is what His true disciples are to expect, if we are walking in His footsteps. Jesus said that His followers would then encounter hostility, rejection and persecution on every hand. "Think not that I am come to send peace on earth; I came not to send peace, but a sword", Matt 10:34. He warned us that we would be hated of all men for His name's sake.

As much as we desire peace between nations, we must recognize that any such peace is only temporary and never universal in scope. When Jesus promised peace He was careful to note that it was not the kind of peace the world gives. What Jesus offers is personal peace, in the midst of the storms of life. He lived in a nation occupied by a foreign power; He was slandered and falsely accused and was confronted by evil men who wanted to destroy Him. Yet He went about calmly obeying the Heavenly Father, ministering to the people and bringing peace to their troubled souls. The peace from above is very personal and private, and one may be at peace with God in spite of all the worlds' wars and rumors of wars. Peace of God can be found on the battle field, in prison, in hospitals, in economic setbacks, in family strife and where turmoil and chaos seems to be in control.... But there are some conditions for peace!

(1) The first condition is faith in the gospel of Christ, that's what the world needs to be reconciled to God through the death, burial and resurrection of His dear Son. Only through Christ's death for our sin can we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

(2) God's purpose must become our purpose, as experienced through our being born again. Some go through a form of trying to change, but not allowing God to work in and through them. Without an inward changing of the heart, there can be no peace.

(3) Peace is also conditioned upon our trusting completely in God and His promises. That is, unless we trust in God, not only is the future known to Him, but He will work out ALL things for our good. We should not be anxious, for God will supply all our needs. God's in control!

When we trust God for our redemption from sin and death, and as we trust Him to sustains us in this life, we also look forward to His promise to give us life eternal in Heaven...... Then and only then can we have peace that passes all understanding.  Those great and exceedingly precious promises can then be viewed with confidence and certainty when we have that kind of peace.... trusting Him for today and all of our tomorrows!!

Yours for Truth and Freedom...... Horace Hooper