Read Luke 2:1-14.
The history of the world is one of war, leaving some to
speak apologetically about Christmas, assuming that something has gone wrong
with God's peace plan. Were the angels
wrong to herald Christ's birth with "Peace on earth"? The answer is in a correct interpretation of
prophecy.
ƒ God's
peace program is individual at present.
1. The
soul is at war with God (Eph. 2:12,15-17).
This is the result of sin in the life.
2. The
first great need then is to bring the soul into harmonious relation with
God. This is where God's peace
begins. No efforts to secure a permanent
peace between men will succeed while men live in rebellion against God.
3. The
Cross is the foundation of this peace (Col. 1:20). This peace is the result of faith (Rom. 5:1).
ƒ The
peace of God.
Besides bringing us to sweet peace with Him, God seeks to
impart to us His own peace and serenity guarding our hearts from anxiety and
worry (Phil. 4:6-7). The soul that is at
peace with God may also enjoy this peace of God.
ƒ World
peace.
Christ is the "Prince of Peace" (Isa. 9:6-7;
2:4). This peace will come with the
return of Christ to this earth. There
must be the destruction of those that oppose God and the banishment of
Satan. We may rejoice that the signs of
Christ's coming are multiplying.
How are you fitting into God's program of peace as announced
by the angels?
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