While traveling in another country, my wife and I saw heavily armed police and military personnel. Their presence was an admission of conflict and an attempt to correct it.
Peace is the absence of conflict and presence of lasting harmony grounded in God’s presence. This precious but particularly elusive commodity is something mankind has struggled throughout history to experience consistently on several levels. Therefore, when the prophet Isaiah announced a child would be born whose name would be “the Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6) this news should catch our attention.
The angelic proclamation to the shepherds, “Glory to God in the highest and on earth, peace among men” announced the birth of “a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11-14). Jesus is the Prince of Peace of whom Isaiah spoke. He embodies peace and enables peace, which is why we celebrate Christmas.
The Prince of Peace enables us to experience peace in three realms.
Peace with God is only possible through personal faith in Jesus, the Prince of Peace (Romans 3:22). Christ came to earth to save us from the just wrath of a holy God (Romans 6:23). Unrighteous humans deserving condemnation are declared righteous when we trust that in Christ’s death our guilt was placed upon Him, and His righteousness became our own (2 Corinthians 5:21). Therefore, having been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God (Romans 5:1) and are reconciled to Him through the blood of the cross (Colossians 1:20).
The peace of God experienced in our daily lives is impossible apart from being at peace with God through faith in Christ. In the face of physical, spiritual, financial, or relational headaches, heartaches, and hardships, Christ followers rest in the promise and presence of internal peace. Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.” (John 14:27)
Peace among men that endures requires that all parties be at peace with God, because peace experienced and expressed is a fruit of the Spirit who only indwells God’s children (Romans 8:9-11). Permanent peace among men will only be fully realized in Christ’s eternal kingdom. Presently, God’s children under the Spirit’s control submit to the command, “if possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.” (Romans 12:18)`
This Christmas I invite you to enter into peace with God, enjoy the peace of God, and express peace to men through personal faith in Jesus, the Prince of Peace.