Where's the Peace?
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Peace on earth! World Peace! It is something that every beauty pageant contestant claims to want more than anything.
There are millions upon of dollars thrown at this.
There are entire organizations dedicated to “peace”
But peace is so allusive.
We find nestled in the Christmas story, in the part where angels appear to shepherds, this statement.
14 Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people He favors!
14 Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, Good will toward men.
Last week I spoke of some misconceptions about God.
Today, I want to to talk about some misconceptions about this particular verse. For instance, some people get confused about what “peace” means in this verse.
It’s not a state of mind, or rest from toiling, or even lack of conflict.
51 Do you think that I came here to give peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division!
Jesus has a way of splitting people into two camps.
Another misconception is about the favor of God on men, or the goodwill to men section.
This is not simply kind feelings and actions between people.
The angels are not simply saying, Jesus has been born, now yall be nice to one another.
Google search
“Christmas is not so much about opening presents, as opening our hearts.”
“It is Christmas in the heart that puts Christmas in the air.”
“Christmas is doing a little something extra for someone.”
“Christmas isn’t a season, its a feeling.”
Furthermore, God’s goodwill toward men is ultimately reserved to those who have accepted Christ as their Savior.
The word for Goodwill is used several ways in the bible. It is good purpose, good will, good pleasure, favor, pleasing, desire.
In other words, the thought here is that God offers peace to those HE FAVORS.
Let’s be clear. If Luke 2.14 is a promise of peace to the whole earth and everyone in it because Jesus has come, that promise has proven false, and God was mistaken when He sent the angels to declare such a thing.
So… Where’s the Peace?
Peace is a promised future event for the World
Peace is a promised future event for the World
6 For a child will be born for us, a son will be given to us, and the government will be on His shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
7 The dominion will be vast, and its prosperity will never end. He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from now on and forever. The zeal of the Lord of Hosts will accomplish this.
6 The wolf will live with the lamb, and the leopard will lie down with the goat. The calf, the young lion, and the fatling will be together, and a child will lead them.
When Jesus comes in the 2nd Advent, He will establish a Kingdom marked with peace.
Peace is a promised present reality for the Christian
Peace is a promised present reality for the Christian
14 Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people He favors!
20 and through Him to reconcile everything to Himself by making peace through the blood of His cross — whether things on earth or things in heaven.
As I mentioned in the beginning, the peace we are talking about is not primarily peace in your heart, or rest from work, or lack of conflict, but it is primarily PEACE WITH GOD.
1 Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Jesus came at Christmas to eventually go to the cross, and then rise from the dead. He did it so we could have peace with God.
14 For He is our peace, who made both groups one and tore down the dividing wall of hostility. In His flesh,
This is not just talking about Jews and Gentiles, but points to the fact that both groups are made right with God through Jesus, who IS OUR PEACE…