For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor,Mighty God,Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. Isaiah 9:6-7a
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
It seems that we do not know much about peace as we look around at the world which is blanketed in strife. Each days news brings a new horror and nations usually known for peace are bitter and divided. People have a way of creating trouble and brewing hostility which leaves us all burned. This pain is what Christ came to destroy.
For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. Ephesians 2:14-18
We need to be able to hear the angels announcement given at the birth of Jesus.
“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” Luke 2:14
We need to be able to grasp the love of God given to us in His Son, which is so different from the peace the world tries to give in possessions and power.
Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Romans 8:5-7
Our way through to peace is a person. As we know Him our hearts are enlarged and peace increases.
Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ,
To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours:
Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.
His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.
Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:1-11
Our faith is in the One whom God sent, and through Him we will inherit His legacy of peace which is beyond anything the world can give. While Christ was here on earth, he suffered and was misunderstood, and we can expect nothing less for ourselves.
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. Romans 5:1-5
The hope which He brings is beyond what we know and understand about our earthly days, and is eternal in nature. Only in Him can we find peace that will last. He is our rock, and has overcome the world.
You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.
Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal. Isaiah 26:3-4
“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 16:32-33
There is much to be learned about peace and much to argue about. Much has been written and I feel inadequate to leave this post with so much unsaid. But when you get to the bottom of all the wrongs and all the wants, there is but one place to go if you are a person of faith, and that is the baby born in a stable. If you are not a person of faith, maybe it’s time to take a look like the shepherd’s did the night the angels announced His birth.
Grace and peace,
Laurie
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Question (feel free to journal your answer here) How have you sought the world’s peace? How instead can you bring peace to your family through faith in Christ?
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