So, about this Peace

Luke 2:14 ESV

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

Isaiah 9:6 (ESV)

... and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Where’s all this peace?

Let’s deal with this Peace on earth issue

What is peace ?

In the OT, it carries the meaning of contentment, general welfare; a sense of love and loyalty with God and one another,

The NT is similar in general understanding; also often used as a greeting “Peace be unto you” or “let [your] peace be upon their house” (paraphrase of Jesus’ instructions

…a dismissal: “go in peace”

…also an absence of conflict; Paul’s instructions in Ro. 12 18

Romans 12:18 ESV

If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

The second piece of that verse…”among those with whom He is pleased;

Herein lies the problem: are we among those with whom He is pleased?

Many think so…likely most think so

…a balancing act: I’m better than him/her/them

…I don’t do...

Reality is that we are hostile to God

Both OT and NT are filled with illustrations

It started in the Garden of Eden with the sin of Adam and Eve

Continues through today, Galatians 5:20 has a short list:

idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions,

None of these things show godliness

Romans chapter one has a list of sins…big and little

…we suppress truth by unrighteousness; ignore the plain evidence of God, engage in idolatry, lust, impurity and immorality;

... They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents,  foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Though they know God’s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.

Any sin, horrid or “not-so-bad” takes God’s pleasure from us…it cannot rest upon us

We can’t balance the books by doing lots of good to pay back, or make up for, any thing we may have done.

All have sinned, and fall short of the Glory of God.

If any man says he is without sin he is a liar and the truth is not in him

So, is God well pleased? No? Lack of peace should be no surprise

Yes, there are periods when things are peaceful…but is there real peace?

So what is the answer? The baby in the manger

Not just His birth, but the whole story

Romans 5:6 ESV

For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.

Rejoice in the birth—absolutely; Glory to God in the HIGHEST; lets imitate the angels in that

But…follow Him to the cross, to the tomb and from there to join Him in eternity