Peace on Earth預覽

“and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests” Luke 2:14

Peace with God

We cannot enjoy the peace of God until we have peace with God. Everyone wants peace and is searching for it in different places. People think they will get peace if they do some penance or sacrifice. To have Shalom, we need to have Peace with God first to enjoy the peace of God. We may enjoy temporary partial peace without God. However, to have lasting peace that goes into eternity, we must have peace with God. Can anyone have the peace of God?

God’s peace comes to those upon whom His favor rests. How can we have favor with God?

Why does the Earth need peace? Just look around you. There is strife, hatred, and wars almost everywhere we look. Nations are at war. There is so much hostility between racial, ethnic, linguistic, and economic groups. Even nature is groaning!! Humanity has been hostile to God from the beginning of time. As we know, back at the beginning of time, God, Adam, and Eve lived in shalom. Then sin, rebellion, doubt, and self-rule destroyed their union with God and took away that shalom. Since then, man has been restless, “nasty, brutish and short” – Thomas Hobbes. Modern-day philosophers are critical of Hobbes' assessment of the state of humanity. His assessment is bang-on because it lines up with the Bible's view on the state of humanity without God. Read Romans chapter 1 if you have any doubts. We are all capable of the vilest of sins; yes, our life is short without a Saviour. It ends in 80 to 90 years and then eternal darkness and damnation.

But Jesus came to restore Shalom between God and man

How does Jesus’ birth bring peace?

Jesus came to first bring peace between God and man because without that, we could not become children of God. Jesus took our sins that separated us from a Holy God upon Himself, and standing in our place became the perfect acceptable atonement for the sins of the world. His death on the cross restored the shalom between God and humanity.

We need to acknowledge Jesus died for our sins and seek God's forgiveness to come into God's favor. Only the blood of Jesus can bring us into the right relationship and shalom with God. This favor is available as a gift only to those who acknowledge it and accept Jesus as their Saviour. Only when you do this will you live in the goodness of God’s favor.

What is this favor?

It is the goodwill and blessings we enjoy as children of God. It is a grace gift that gives us access to all the heavenly blessings and riches in Christ. It is an expression of God’s love and extravagance toward you. Rejoice in it and be thankful.

REFLECTION

Have you put your faith and trust in Jesus? Does God’s favor rest on you?

Thank Jesus for His death on the cross that has restored Shalom between you and God.