Peace For Christmas

PEACE Total well-being, prosperity, and security associated with God’s presence among his people. Linked in the OT with the covenant, the presence of peace was conditional, based on Israel’s obedience. In the prophetic writings, true peace is part of the end-time hope of God’s salvation. In the NT, this longed-for peace is understood as having come in Christ and can be experienced by the believers.

This year we have a world filled with war, hate, and strife. Yet again the Christmas bells peal in joyous anticipation. For, although mankind does not yet have universal peace, it has the promise!!!

We Are Promised Peace

Luke 2:14 NKJV

“Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

Peace Depends On Righteousness

Isaiah 32:17–18 NKJV

The work of righteousness will be peace, And the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever. My people will dwell in a peaceful habitation, In secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places,

We should remember that righteousness is right standing with God. We are righteous only through Christ and His work of salvation. We need to stop wallowing in sin and get right with God. Then we can have peace with ourselves and God.

Peace Through Christ

Psalm 29:11 NKJV

The Lord will give strength to His people; The Lord will bless His people with peace.

Peace Was Purchased

Colossians 1:20 NKJV

and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.

There is peace in this life! Jesus purchased our peace with His blood on that old rugged cross. His blood has washed our sins away and made us righteous before God. Peace doesn’t always mean that everything is going to go our way, but we can certainly have peace in the midst of our storms!

John 14:27 NKJV

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.

When Christ fills a heart, His peace will overflow. This story emphasizes this great truth.

A much-beloved man, a leader in a little community of Christian students, lived such a life of serenity and peace that all his student-companions wondered. At length they determined to approach him and ask to be told the secret of his calm. They said: “We are harassed by many temptations, which appeal to us so often and so strongly that they give us no rest. You seem to live untroubled by these things, and we want to know your secret. Don’t the temptations that harass our souls come knocking at the door of your heart?”

He replied: “My children, I do know something of the things of which you speak. The temptations that trouble you do come, making their appeal to me. But when they knock at the door of my heart, I answer, “The place is occupied.”

If your heart is occupied by the Lord Jesus Christ, sin will not find a resting place there.

Call To Action

Would you make room for Jesus in your heart this year?

Do you need peace today?