“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” (Luke 2:14, KJV)
That was the promise.
The Angel said that was the reason Jesus came—to make ‘peace on earth’.
However, we haven’t seen much of that ‘peace’.
There are several reasons for that.
1) A more accurate interpretation of that verse is ‘On earth, peace among men with whom He is pleased’.
In other words, the ‘peace’ comes through faith in Jesus. That means that those who reject Him (or fail to accept Him) will not experience it in the fullness that God wants for them.
2) That peace starts with Peace with God (through faith in Jesus) and then continues to peace within, peace with others and, ideally, peace on Earth.
Again, the relationship with Jesus is the key.
3) Our spiritual enemy—satan—and his demons are busily trying to ruin everything. He is a liar, a thief, a murderer and he exists to distract us from anything and everything God wants for us—and the rest of the world. Therefore, if we don’t actively resist him and submit ourselves to God, he will continue to mess us up.
Therefore, IF we are ever going to experience ‘Peace on Earth’ then we must submit ourselves to God, we cultivate our relationship with Jesus, and we must get the word out about Him.
Peace on Earth is a promise that God wants to bring about…it comes through Jesus Christ!
Consider and Discuss:
In what ways have you experienced the Peace that God gave, through Jesus?
Is there anyone you know who has not experienced it?
Pray for opportunities to share God’s love—through Jesus—with that person this year!