Peace, Good Will Toward Men – Part 1

Michael writes this new Year’s Eve about how we need to be reminded that Jesus Christ is the Prince of Peace.  We must keep our mind's eye focused on the target that He is a “Rewarder” of those who diligently seek Him.

There are four reasons to keep excited about walking in fellowship with the Lord. The first is that we have been “forgiven”.  We have been wrapped in the righteous robes of Jesus Christ. The second is “character”.  His Character is the power in our lives to do that which He has called us to do for He has infused us with His spirit ... the spirit of God in Christ in us - the hope of glory.  The third is “purpose”. We have been called “holy”, meaning set apart for the purpose intended by the Designer - God. Our life is significant because of what He made us in Christ Jesus to deliver the message and to be the message at the same time. The fourth is “security”. “For I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which He's committed to me against that Day of Judgment” – 2 Timothy 1:12.  The fifth is “Peace”.  Jesus said, "My peace I leave with you my peace I give unto you, not as the world giveth give I unto you...  let not your heart be troubled neither let it be afraid" – John 14:27.
Isaiah 9 says, "Unto us a child is born and his name shall be called... Prince of Peace and of his kingdom there shall be no end."  There is no peace without the Prince of Peace.  This lawless God-rejecting world is full of chaos and confusion, turmoil, tribulation, strife, and contention. “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace” – 1 Corinthians 14:33.  

Peace is the solution to confusion ... it is the absolute end of strife and contention between God and mankind. We are no longer at war with God and His righteousness. “For God sending his own son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin condemned sin in the flesh that we may be made the righteousness of God in him” –Romans 8:3.  On the first Christmas day, God sent his only begotten son, born of a virgin, so that we could be reconciled to our heavenly Father. 

According to Ephesians 2:14-18, "For He is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; having abolished in His flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in Himself of twain one new man, so making peace; and that He might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. For through Him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father."

Let's continue Michael's new year's message of Peace on the next post.
In Christ, Brian