Peace on Earth

 Luke 2:14, Col 3:15
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men….And let the peace of God rule in your hearts.
The desire for most people is to have peace, freedom from disturbance, absence of conflict, war to be eliminated, and tranquility of mind and heart. Sin in the hearts of humanity is the root that makes lasting peace unattainable. The carnal nature born in man is at war with the nature of God, who is our Peace. Christ came to bring peace to mankind, peace that passes all understanding. But as long as sin remains, war will continue to be part of life. Jesus said that nations will war against nations, and His sword will bring division because sin is at enmity with God. The proclamation made by the angels on the day Christ was born, that this Christ would bring peace on earth. Peace is made available to every man, woman, boy and girl on earth. Through Christ, we can have peace in our heart. The war with sin is over, the blood of Jesus has made the heart clean, and He can rule in our hearts. We now have victory or sin and our way is now God’s way , we have surrendered everything over to God. Our plans, ambition, and desires are now His to rule. The Peace of God brings tranquility when everything else is chaotic. The world around us is looking for world peace, but real peace only comes when Christ is born in your heart, and He controls our destiny and journey in life. 

Without Murmuring

 Philip 2:14, Col 3:15
Do all things without murmurings and disputings:..And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

Murmuring is a subdue or private expression of discontent or dissatisfaction. Complaining is also an expression of dissatisfaction, but is expressed more openly. Whether we find ourselves murmuring or complaining it is an indication that we are not content with the situation or how God is working on our behalf. Granted, there are levels of expression that don’t necessarily reflect on our trust in God. I often wake up in the morning with a headache, and complain about the pain. The weather is often a point of contention with many people. Many complain about being too cold, or too hot. Such expressions are acceptable unless they become excessive. Moving from the milk of the word to the meat of the word is learning how to shine for Christ. Learning to be thankful in all things and do all things without murmuring is to rethink and evaluate God’s purpose in our lives. We are the light of the world, a reflection of Jesus. How we react to negative and undesirable situations will cast a shadow on our witness for Christ. Paul goes on to say why it is important, “That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world.” (vs15). Let God’s peace rule in your heart. He alone can calm the storms of life and give peace. Next time we are tempted to murmur or complain, ask God to give you peace, submitting to His perfect will for your life.

Disagreements

Col. 3:13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

Disagreement are unavoidable. They are going to happen. Not every one will see things the same way. Some disagreements with be strong and there is no compromise of opinion and it is possible to walk away having ill will toward those you disagree with. Forgiveness of one you have a disagreement with is not to be sorry that you have different prospective on an issue or problems, but forgiveness for any feelings of resentment or hurt feelings. Compatibility and relationship are not built on thinking alike, but the ability to love and show kindness one to another even after a heated quarrel. Above all things, put on love which covers a multitude of sins or quarreling.  Let God’s peace, that lives in both your hearts rule in the end.  

Peace in Conflict

Roman 5: 1 Since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

A world without conflict will always evade us. Peace is an illusion that we continue reach out to grasp, but always out of our reach. War and conflict go back to the beginning of time, before the foundations of the earth were created. Satan, the arch angel is heaven stood in opposition to God, exerting his will over the will of God. The root of all conflict begins when man is unwilling to submit to its Creator. Peace is never found when man refuses to believe God and trust that He is Lord of all. Christ came to bring peace. Peace in the midst of conflict. The war and battle may rage all around us, but the God’s peace can abide in the heart of man. Coming to terms with our sin and turning to the one who is able to forgive us of our sin, we are made right in the sight of God, and God who reconciles us to Him gives us peace that passes the conflict of this world. Wars and rumors of war will continue till the end of time, but real peace need not evade us. Reach out to the prince of peace, Jesus Christ, the God of peace. 

Peace Through Christ

Phil 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.-

I don’t understand how there can be peace in the midst of conflict and unrest. The mind is constantly thinking and wrestling with life’s problems. The heart, the seed of our emotions and affections daily dealing with interpersonal relationships that often are made difficult by miscommunication and mistrust. How can one be at peace is such a state of mind and soul? The peace of God is a divine intervention that comes from heaven above. It does not come from any human source or formula. In the midst of war and confusion, the God of creation send His Son to earth to dwell among us and to give us peace. He is the Prince of peace, the everlasting God. Knowing Christ and His forgiveness and love fills the mind and heart with peace that the world can never give. The world does not understand how a person can be at rest when all seems to be going wrong. His peace is our stabilizer, He keeps us in perfect accord and provides peace that only a true Christian can understand. 

Go in Peace

Luke 7:48,50b “ And He said unto her, “Thy sins are forgiven… Thy faith hath saved thee. Go in peace”

The wonder of having sins forgiven. Who is this that can forgive sins. He is not a mere man, but the High Priest for all who will come to Him and bow at His feet. It matters not our station in life, our social economic state, or our physical condition, Jesus, He who forgives sins desires to speak the words, “Go in peace”. When the burden of sin is lifted from the heart and guilt and condemnation are gone, peace comes and fills the heart with contentment. Knowing that God now sees us as new creatures, washed by His love, we can go and face life with peace that the world cannot give. Real peace, the gift of God comes only through knowing Jesus, knowing that God’s love reaches any heart that is willing to humble themselves and be a servant of the Master. He is the God of peace in a world of turmoil.