“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace to men on whom his favour rests.” Luke 2:14
Peace, (Greek EIRENE) = Agreement, calmness, composure, concord, contentment, harmony, rest, tranquillity
God’s gift of peace, which is available for everyone, is conditional, ‘to men on whom his favour rests’ (‘to everyone who pleases God’).
1. NO PEACE
1. For the human family
“You will hear of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed…nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.” Matthew 24:6-7
2. For individual members of the human family
All of us are sinful by nature, we love the world (the world of people in their rebellion against and alienation from God – loving POWER, POSITION, POSSESSIONS, PASSIONS).
“You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.” James 4:4
2. PEACE
God gives this peace to: ‘men on whom his favour rests’ or ‘everyone who pleases God’. God gives us peace which includes:
1. Peace with God
“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 5:1
Before we receive the Lord Jesus into our lives by faith, we were AT WAR WITH GOD but now we are AT PEACE WITH HIM.
2. Peace of God
The apostle Paul writes to us: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God and the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
Jesus Christ says to us, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27
“I have told you these things, so that in me, you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
3. Peace with each other
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” Romans 12:18
“Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called sons of God.” Matthew 5: 9
As we face 2010, with all its unknowns, may we be those who have both received and are experiencing God’s precious gift of peace.
