Peace on Earth Stuart L. Brogden – 13 Dec 03
We celebrate the birth of Christ this time of year, an event that was announced with bold proclamations of “peace on Earth, good will toward men.” Stores and radio stations proclaim “Merry Christmas” or “Happy Holidays”. People wish one another “Peace and happiness”. In the Dec 6th Houston Chronicle, a letter to the editor proclaimed, “Our holiday season is enjoyed by many; the spirit of giving and the hope of peace on Earth is in everybody’s hearts – no matter what faith.”
So what does our Creator mean by “peace on Earth, good will toward men”? Could God mean what the letter in our newspaper meant? Jesus said to His disciples - John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you.” “Happy Holidays” is a reflection of circumstances – what most people think is “peace.”
But there’s something different about the peace on Earth that Christ and His messengers were talking about. Our first tangible clue is “THE Christmas story”, not the movie “A Christmas Story”.
Luke 2:8-14 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Stop and ask what your lost co-worker thinks peace means, perhaps what you or I may think it means: lack of conflict, smooth sailing, good credit, “Miller time”. These are the circumstantial “happiness” influences. But as Tom teaches so well, and documented in Colossians 3:4 – Christ did not come to Earth to make your life better. He came to Earth for you to die! In the death He calls us to, there and there alone is true peace.
“Peace” in God’s dictionary means being reconciled with Him – something no one can achieve apart from falling on the grace of the perfect life poured out at Calvary. Neither works nor proper social status provides peace with God. A person cannot take Christ on his own terms – “let me take of business first,” or “don’t make me choose between you and my family.”
Matthew 10:32-35 Whosoever
therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father
which is in heaven. But whosoever shall
deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in
heaven. Think not that I am come to
send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance
against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in
law against her mother in law.
Luke 12:51-52 Suppose
ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather
division: For from henceforth there
shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three.
Christ is not telling us we have to destroy our families to have peace with Him. He’s merely telling us that some of us will have to make that choice – Earthly family “peace” (“my religion is personal”, “how can you turn your back on our family religion?”) or eternal peace with your heavenly family?
And don’t fall for the notion that time makes things right
with Almighty God. Revelations
6:2-4 And I saw, and behold a white
horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he
went forth conquering, and to conquer.
And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say,
Come and see. And there went out another horse that was red: and power was
given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that
they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.
These people that are being killed by God’s fierce messenger are those who have spurned His grace and hardened their hearts to the call to come humbly to the cross. Yet those who come to Christ in truth and humility sometimes fruitlessly wonder why evil men thrive and, perhaps, even whether God is paying attention.
Psalms 37:10-11 For
yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently
consider his place, and it shall not be.
But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight
themselves in the abundance of peace.
Peace is found in Christ, not simply in talking about Him. Accepting Him on His terms, alone. And in Him is found the “good will toward men” Luke mentioned. This term does not refer to good will from one man to another, but the good will from God that sent Jesus to Earth to save us. And to insure we rightly comprehend Him, Paul gives us:
Colossians 1:16-22 For by him (Jesus) were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in him should all fullness dwell; And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight. 2 Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
Completely made righteous in the sight of Almighty Father God by the one-time sacrifice of Christ. Christ alone was able to atone for us. He is Creator and He holds “all things” together. And by His blood, we were cleansed and presented spotless and blameless before the most Holy and Righteous Judge of the Universe! Good will toward men – how can it be told so simply?! 1 John 3:1 How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!
2 Corinthians 5:18-19 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
God, the authority over all things, the author of all
things, has – through Christ – put us right with Himself. Ephesians 3:13-14 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been
brought near through the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has
made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility,
Peace – the elimination of that which causes conflict between man and God. The “wall of hostility” was destroyed that we might be drawn close to Him. Brought near by the blood of Christ – not your good looks, good works, or the religion of your father.
If it’s still not clear, Romans 8:1-2 There is therefore now no condemnation
to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the
Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of
life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
Condemnation awaits all who reject Christ. But we who have humbly fallen at His feet, has He set free from the penalty of the law and the eternal death that awaits the lost.
Peace on Earth – in Christ alone. Good will toward men – Christ came to save us from our sin. Philippians 2:6-11 Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Peace on Earth – Christ has come! He Who alone is able, came that we who are in desperate need might life eternal. Good will toward men – All who confess Him as King and Savior will be rescued! For God does not favor one person over another and does not judge as man does. This “holiday season”, let it known that it’s Christmas and because of that, we can have peace on Earth.