PEACE: Is it possible?

Everywhere we turn there seems to be "no peace." No peace among husbands and wives, parents and children, neighbor to neighbor, community to community, no peace among nations, and sometimes not even peace between the people of God (the body of Christ). The most relevant question does not seem to be "Where in the world is peace to be found?" but rather "Is peace possible?"

What then is peace? Is peace a lack of conflict, turmoil, or fighting? Is peace sublime tranquility? Or is peace found in a place removed from human culture and society?

Once again, is peace possible? Does the Christmas season represent peace? As I was listening to our Christmas musical celebration and worship service recently, I was prompted by the Holy Spirit to consider the word PEACE. So rather than listening intently to the musical presentation much to my wife's chagrin I began to write the word PEACE on a "scribble card" found in the church pew. And I wrote...

PEACE
Praise (Psa. 135:1)
Exaltation (Psa. 18:46)
Acclamation (Num. 23:21)
Christ (Gal. 3:26)
Eternal (1 John 2:25)

The prophet Isaiah wrote about the coming Messiah and called Him the Prince of Peace (Isa. 9:6). The Gospel writer Dr. Luke wrote "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among people with whom He is pleased" (Luke 2:14). It seems that the Greek rendering of Luke's passage more closely reads "not that divine peace can be bestowed only where human good will is already present, but that at the birth of the Saviour God’s peace rests on those whom he has chosen in accord with his good pleasure.” The beloved Apostle John quoted Jesus as saying "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you, I do not give it as the world does" (John 14:27). It appears that this "peace" that Jesus is speaking about to His disciples is the coming Holy Spirit who will indwell them at Pentecost (Acts 2). Of course,  the implication of this past reality  is that all believers after Pentecost will be indwelt by the same Holy Spirit. Furthermore, the Apostle Paul affirms in his letter to the Roman believers that peace with God is found in the Person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ (Rom. 5:1). Paul continues to teach that Jesus is the source of peace through His shed blood on the cross (Eph. 2:14-16); moreover, he calls this message the "gospel of peace" (Eph. 6:14). In fact, Paul writes to the church in Philippi that through prayer " the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 4:6-7).

I hope you get the point of these few Scripture passages. Peace is possible, but peace is only possible in the Person and work of Jesus Christ. At Christmas time, we remember the beautiful story of Messiah's birth, but most importantly we are reminded in Scripture that His incarnation was for the sole purpose of bringing peace. The question remains, but peace with whom? The answer is peace with God. Without peace with God there can be no peace with us. Without peace with us there can be no peace with one another. Without peace with one another there can be no peace between family, neighbors, communities, nations or even our enemies. Peace with God through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth is our only hope for real peace, lasting peace, eternal peace.

The Psalmist exclaims Praise the LORD! Praise the name of the LORD! Offer praise, you servants of the LORD" (Psa. 135:1). "The God who delivers me is exalted as king" (Psa. 18:46). "The LORD their God is with them; his acclamation as king is among them" (Num. 23:21). "For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God through faith" (Gal. 3:26). "Now this is the promise that he himself made to us: eternal life" (1 John 2:25).

My prayer is that we embrace the peace that Jesus Christ offers us through His incarnation, atoning sacrifice, reconciliation with the Triune God, and His faithful promise of abundant life both now and for all eternity.

PEACE
Shalom

Amen (so be it)
Mark