Sunday, May 5, 2024

Peace on Earth?

Luke 2:13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

When Jesus was born the heavenly host declared peace on earth. And this is true, Jesus brings peace with God and peace among all those who call upon his name. (Eph 2:14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us) But there is another statement made by Jesus which catches people by surprise.

Luke 12:51 Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division:

How is it that these are both true? The key is understanding the difference between the people of God and the people of this world. There are those who confess Jesus before men, and those who deny him.

Matt 10:32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. 33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven. 34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. 35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. 36 And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.

Jesus tells us that persecution is to be expected.

Matt 5:10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

And this is the way of those who carry the gospel. But having this sentence, to be persecuted we bless and declare the way of peace which has been brought to us by Jesus.

1 Cor 4:12 And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:

Here is the passage which brings it all together:

John 16:29 His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no proverb. 30 Now are we sure that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou camest forth from God. 31 Jesus answered them, Do ye now believe? 32 Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me. 33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peaceIn the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

We have Peace with God, and it is truly available to everyone who calls upon his name, but this world will refuse to believe and will persecute those who stand for righteousness.

Lastly, why do we see a lack of peace, even great division among those who claim to be walking in the way of Peace?

James 4:1 From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? 2 Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. 3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. 4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God?

So walk in Peace with God, but do not be surprised when your good is evil spoken of, and you are persecuted for righteousness sake. Go out with joy and be led of peace (Isa 55:12) In all of the tribulation of this world we have peace, because God is for us and Jesus is our peace.

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