PEACE, a biblical perspective for Christmas

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” Luke 2:14

Boy, do we love the words of the heralding angels on the night of our Savior’s birth! Peace on earth! Peace. We all need it, want it, and desire it deeply. Regardless of who we are, what we do, or where we live, we long for genuine peace.

Thanks be to God that the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6) came to dwell with us, bringing peace. After all, it’s what His title signifies. God’s kingdom is all about peace, and He sent His Son (the Prince) to declare heavenly peace.

But, then, what do we do with this?

(Jesus declared) “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a person’s enemies will be those of his own household.” Matthew 10:34-36

“I have not come to bring peace…”?! B-b-but…

Well, that sure puts a crimp in our nativity story, doesn’t it? How is it that the Prince of Peace comes in the flesh, yet did not come to bring peace? The passage from Matthew, above, sounds like Jesus is coming on a bit strong.

Perhaps it’s time to take a good look at peace, from God’s perspective, not our own.

The Hebrew word shalom, and the Greek word einini, both embrace the concepts of wellbeing, wholeness, and authentic satisfaction with life. They include the idea of binding or bringing together that which was separated. Shalom has the added depth of a harmonious relationship with God.

WORLDLY PEACE
For most people, “peace” signifies the absence of conflict, a time with no adversity, and a general sense that “all is right with the world”. Hm. That doesn’t happen all-too-often, does it? In fact, it happens so seldom we ‘qualify’ world “peace” by giving it different terms, like armistice, the Cold War, seasonal treaties, and so on, none of which are entirely void of tension, or anxiety.

Then, there’s this:
“‘There is no peace,’ says the Lord, ‘for the wicked.’” Isaiah 48:22
Juxtaposed by this:
“Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:17-21

Before it all becomes too confusing to unravel, let’s face it, the world’s idea of “peace” is a pipedream. Like Jack Nicholson, acting as President of the US, attacked by aliens in the corny movie “Mars Attacks” asking, “Why can’t we all just get along?”

Because we can’t, that’s why. Sin won’t allow it.

Our sinful nature not only distances us from God but from one another. Consider how often people grate you the wrong way, or you envy someone’s good fortune, or someone says something that causes you to dislike them. Lasting peace—in worldly terms—is impossible. At best, “peace” between warring nations has always been tentative, and subject to decay. The world will never know true, unmitigated peace because of sin.

GOD’S PEACE
Godly peace, however, is for eternity and doesn’t vary or dissipate with time. The peace of God is the peace OF God; that is, it emanates from who God is. It isn’t contrived or designed for a time or season. It always is because God always is.

This is what the angels declared on the night of the Christ child’s birth. “…on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased!” Notice that it comes with a qualifier! God’s peace comes to those with whom He is pleased! Well, who can please God? Only those with faith to trust in God and His Messiah, Jesus. (Hebrews 11:6, “without faith it is impossible to please God,…”)

That’s why there is no (Godly) peace for the wicked. The wicked can never hope to please God—despite all those movies and TV shows that fill people’s troubled souls with truly bad theology and ignore God’s Word. The very best they can hope for until they trust in God, is some form of tentative, apprehensive ‘peace’.

The depth of faith we have in God determines the depth of peace we have through Christ. One thing is sure: it will grow more and more secure as we mature spiritually. The peace of God is one of the indicators of living in the power of the Holy Spirit.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,” Galatians 5:22

God’s grace fills believers in ways that non-believers can’t even begin to imagine. His peace is a manifestation of the eternal relationship we have with Him when we accept Jesus as LORD and Savior. We know—without a shadow of a doubt—what our Future holds; that Christ redeemed us and our sins are paid for and forgiven, and we will spend eternity with The Holy One. That’s the lasting peace we have.

That peace also extends to daily living as we are faced with adversity and trials.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

Why are we reminded of that promise? Because it is the eternal peace we have in Christ that allows us to take whatever life throws at us, knowing that God already knows the number of our days and we are ever in His loving, faithful hands. If His will is for us to stay here, then we serve Him longer on earth. If we are taken Home then we are better for it! (Philippians 1:20-23)

We are guaranteed unmatched peace when our hearts and minds are solidly focused on the promises of God. Trusting in the One from whom all lasting peace flows fills us with the spiritual assurance that “it is well with my soul”.
“You keep him/her in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” Isaiah 26:3

BEING A PEACEMAKER
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” Matthew 5:9
The sons of God (a term of inheritance in Christ) are, at heart, peacemakers. We not only serve to promote genuine peace on a human level, but we serve God by sharing His love with others that they may attain His perfect peace.

We are called to be Godly peacemakers wherever we are, with whomever we meet. Sometimes that isn’t an easy task but our mission is sustained by the Holy Spirit.
“A harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” James 3:18

Other times, it may be downright impossible to bring peace to a situation. The apostle Paul understood this by personal experience and his conclusion was this:
“If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” Romans 12:18

The world doesn’t ‘get’ peace. They don’t understand what real peace looks like, feels like, or how to attain it. It’s on us believers to live peaceably. In doing so we demonstrate the holiness of God that is ours through Christ Jesus. In serving others in peace, perhaps they will come to put their trust in the One who is peace.
“Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.” Hebrews 12:14

Christ did not come to bring peace.
He came to make peace between us and God.