Peace on Earth!

The host of angels joined in with the first angel, to make the proclamation- “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

Glory to God

This translation, particularly the last phrase has been interpreted a bit differently than it was in the KJV, which many of us are probably more familiar with.

Luke 2:14 KJV 1900

14 Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, Good will toward men.

The newer modern translations are more accurate in my opinion.

NIV interprets it this way,

Glory to God in the highest heaven,

Luke 2:14 NIV

14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

The message is here is not peace to men who are good. It is a message of peace upon those on who God’s favor rests.

and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

Peace on Earth: to those on whom God bestows His favor

to those who God bestows His favor

Peace = Shalom = Wholeness =Completeness as in a wall that is undamaged, fully filled, and functioning as a boundary/protective barrier.

Peace = One biblical language dictionary defined is as more of a state of the Absence of War, rather than lives which are void of conflict in a group of people. We use peace interchangeably with words such as: tranquility, harmony, unity.

For us to be in a “state of peace” or a state that is void of war and disturbance, we must surrender to the Father’s will. We cannot be at a state of peace unless we surrender our will to His will. I am not referring to sinless obedience in our outward behavior, because none of us are capable of that. Rather, I believe the Scriptures clearly teach that we are saved by God’s grace, which was shown and manifested in the shedding of Christ’s blood for our salvation/redemption/peace/reconciliation with the Heavenly Father.

Peace with God

Ephesians 2:14–17 ESV

14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 15 by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, 16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. 17 And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near.

Eph 2:13-

Christ broke down the wall/barrier that kept us from God and has now offered to build a wall (Shalom) around those who believe in Him, For those who have faith that he was the perfect payment for our sin and that he has earned our peace.

He has torn down the barrier and has allowed us to enter into the sheepfold to be a part of His flock.

Peace with Men

Ultimately accomplished only because of Christ’s work but we have the privilege of being instruments of that peace giving process among men.

James 3:13–18 ESV

13 Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. 15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

The beginning question is essentially a rhetorical one. James drawing attention to the point he made in chapter 2- Faith without works is dead. Now in 3:13 he is saying, who is wise and understanding? You will know them by the fruit of their lives. Meekness of Wisdom= Humble, controlled wielding of the knowledge and understanding they possess. Wisdom is the ability to apply what is comprehended in the mind. BUT then James points out the opposite qualities that exist in the life of an ignorant fool.

James 3:13-18

James 3:17–18 ESV

17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

The FOOL-ish

Jealousy

Selfish Ambition

Earthly

Unspiritual

Demonic

Disorder

Every vile practice

The WISE-man

Pure

Peaceable

Gentle

Open to Reason

Full of Mercy

Full of Good Fruits

Impartial

Sincere

Think about this list of qualities for a minute-

Pure= Righteous, moral uprightness, obedient to God’s commands

Peaceable= As much as it depends upon you, live at peace with all men ()

Romans 12:18 ESV

18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

Gentle= Not a fighter or brawler

2 Timothy 2:24–26 ESV

24 And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, 25 correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.

Open to Reason= Easily persuaded with enough reason and evidence, compliant, pliable to instruction (not wishy washy, mamby pamby, milk-toast wuss.

Full of Mercy= compassionate out of an abundance of love.

Full of Good Fruits= Spirit filled life evidenced by the fruit of the Spirit.

Impartial= free from prejudice, not one who tends to factions or divisions within a group.

Sincere= Genuine, not a pretender, not a player.

SOWING PEACE without compromise!

PEACE = VICTORY!

No longer at war!

No longer struggling against God

Paul Washer recently made this statement,

“There is little need for the devil and evil men to oppose a man praying for revival unless he is also laboring for reformation.”

Paul Washer said, “There is little need for the devil and evil men to oppose a man praying for revival unless he is also laboring for reformation .”

No longer quarreling with people within the body of Christ about insignificant and disputable things- Rom 14

No longer fighting- The war against Satan and sin in our own power

Because when we are at peace with God and His body we have placed ourselves under the power and protection of the Creator of the universe. We will have surrounded ourselves with brothers and sisters/fellow members of the body who are able to come along side and assist us in our walk with the Lord.

No longer at war!

We are dead to sin and ALIVE to Christ.

Faith in Christ = Hope

Faith and Hope = Peace with God & Man

Peace with God and Man = VICTORY

The wonderful thing about this message of Peace is that we see in Scripture examples of people from all different walks of life and experiences are able to come to a have a relationship with God.

Prostitutes, Mistresses, Lepers, Pharisees, Fishermen, Priests, Egyptian adoptees (like Moses), are just a few of the kinds of people who came to a place where they were no longer warring against God and instead gained peace with the Creator, Sustainer and Mighty God. Each of them were brought to a place of faith in God’s love, mercy, holiness, justice and grace.

FAITH is the victory that overcomes the world-

Victory in Jesus- Eugene Monroe Bartlett Senior.

I heard an old, old story, How a Savior came from glory, How He gave His life on Calvary To save a wretch like me; I heard about His groaning, Then I repented of my sins; And won the victory. O victory in Jesus, My Savior, forever. He sought me and bought me With His redeeming blood; He loved me ere I knew Him, And all my love is due Him, He plunged me to victory, Beneath the cleansing flood

Refrain: O victory in Jesus, My Savior, forever. He sought me and bought me With His redeeming blood; He loved me ere I knew Him, And all my love is due Him, He plunged me to victory, Beneath the cleansing flood

I heard about His healing, Of His cleansing power revealing. How He made the lame to walk again And caused the blind to see; And then I cried, "Dear Jesus, Come and heal my broken spirit," And somehow Jesus came and brought To me the victory.

Refrain

I heard about a mansion He has built for me in glory. And I heard about the streets of gold Beyond the crystal sea; About the angels singing, And the old redemption story, And some sweet day I'll sing up there The song of victory.

The War did not end without a fight. Christ was bruised, beaten, battered and suffered an excruciating death, to win the war against Satan. May we never forget the price that was paid for our PEACE.