Peace on Earth . . .
"And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."
(Luke 2:13-14)This passage, in its larger context, is repeated often this time of year. Sadly, that which is repeated frequently is often contemplated very little. Such neglect can result in an empty, unexpectant rehearsal of well-known facts which have lost their meaning. That is particularly true in a culture which in reality rejects the very core of that to which it gives lip service.
So, let’s take a few moments to consider the importance of the incredible proclamation which heralded Christ’s birth. I want to take the phrases of this doxology in order because the last will warrant the most attention here.
"Glory to God in the highest" could be understood in a variety of ways. In the broadest sense it acknowledges God’s universal sovereignty. The other possible views are consistent with this one and only serve to emphasize God’s superiority over specific kingdoms and authorities.
"On earth peace" easily loses its meaning in our language. What does peace mean? Ask several people and you’ll get a variety of answers. Chances are that none of them will align with the meaning of the Greek word here: eirene (i-rah!-nay). If your name is Irene, you now know its origin.
Literally, the word means "to set at one." At the fall, an unbreechable chasm separated man from God. Recorded history well documents humankind’s recognition of that breech. The desire to bridge it is evident in every culture; even in those like ours where the Godless prevail.
Mankind had forever schemed, plotted, and planned but there was no way to span the abyss of sin. To ease minds and salve consciences (or harden them), they created gods in their image; gods which suited their fancy and promoted their cause. But, there was no peace with Almighty God.
Even the "chosen people" rejected God who called them in favor of an earthly king. They polluted the covenant that was theirs alone among the nations. They preferred their way to God’s way and suffered the consequences of their infidelity.
God’s first message in Christ is reconciliation. Through the work of Christ He closed the gap and bids us "Come." Do we desire to be "set at one" with Him, or will we insist on having our way? Those whose hearts are turned to desire peace respond to the call. Peace, real peace, is an impossibility for all others.
Notice, I did not say peace is hard for others; it is impossible. True peace only comes in Christ. Anything else we might choose to call peace is a counterfeit and a poor substitute. May our call for peace not be an empty plea but one born of Him who is the Prince of Peace.
Finally, let’s look at the last phrase of our passage. Note that translators and commentators do not agree on its meaning. I’ve used the KJV since it is the most familiar. But, other translations read differently. The NASB has it, "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased."
The footnote of the last phrase suggests it might be translated as "men of good pleasure, or of good will." One’s theological view will influence how they resolve the issue.
It is a truth that no human can truly be said to be of good will; "There is none that is righteous . . . ." Calvinists will focus on the "men of good pleasure" alternative as evidence that God chooses whom He pleases to receive His favor. However, the passage does not say it would displease Him to extend that favor to all men.
The question comes, "Whose good will or pleasure is addressed here: God’s or man’s"? Don’t hold your breath for an answer from me. I’ve got a lot more questions than answers and this is one I haven’t worked through yet.
It is certainly true that God’s will is good, even the things that we view as negative or perhaps even evil. His will is perfect and good. So one might conclude that the good will expressed in this passage is from God to man.
Others conclude that the passage speaks to the peace we experience in Christ which causes us to express good will toward those around us. How do you read this verse? Have you ever thought about it before?
How about a few more translations? One of my favorite resources is The New Testament in 26 Translations which was first published in 1967. You can still get it as part of The Word: The Bible From 26 Translations and I highly recommend it because it will force you to think about scripture rather than just read it (look for more on that topic next month).
The book leads with the KJV and following each verse or phrase lists alternate translations which differ significantly. Here is the list for the verse under consideration.
"Glory to God in the highest" (or on high) is generally agreed upon. The remainder reads:
"...and on earth peace among men with whom he is pleased (Revised Standard Version)
"...and on earth his peace for men on whom his favour rests." (New English Bible)
"...and on earth peace toward men of his good pleasure." (Broadus, et al).
"...and peace on earth to men that are God’s friends." (Knox)
"...and on earth peace among men who please him." (The Century Translation, Montgomery)
"...and on earth peace among men in whom he finds pleasure." (Twentieth Century New Testament)
Just look at the questions you can raise from this little exercise! Is this about men pleasing God, or God doing as he pleases? Is peace just for a few that God favors, or is it for all who will receive it? How do godly men arrive at such different meanings? More importantly, how are we supposed to arrive at a supportable conclusion which satisfies us?
The answer is rather simple, by being good Bereans. We must handle the scripture with integrity, earnestly desiring to know the truth. We must lay aside our prejudices and presuppositions and allow the text to speak for itself without ignoring the context (narrative, social, and historical).
If we approach God’s word with that attitude the Holy Spirit will lead us to the truth we need to see.
Regardless of our view on the text at hand, we can all agree that Christ’s coming was a world-changing event which made reconciliation between God and man, and between men possible. The other issues are secondary, still they demand our diligence in study.
The charge to us as those who have received peace with God is, as Paul said, "If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men." (Romans 12:18)
Just how much does peace depend on you and me?
"But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace." (James 3:17-18)
It has become something of a joke that every candidate for Miss America answers the familiar question with, "I wish for world peace." If wishing for world peace would get the job done, we would have had it long ago.
The reality is that if we begin to focus on individual lives (including our own) we can quickly discover that we don’t always do the things that make for peace. Peace is about true reconciliation not the absence of open conflict. There is a big difference.
Notice the requirements James lists above. Real peace issues from wisdom that has pure motives. There is no hypocrisy in it. To wish for world peace and then refuse to do the very things in our personal lives that make for peace with others is, well, hypocritical.
The only way the world will experience peace in relationships is for each of us to do all we can in our personal relationships to maintain it. As that influence spreads to others we begin to infiltrate the culture and as our culture reaches out to other cultures, we begin to influence the world.
It is a sad state of affairs that a country which once sought to export righteousness now exports its hedonistic swill to the world. The image of Americans has been tainted. No longer are our morals and integrity something which distinguishes us. We are known for our propensity for self-indulgence to such an extent that other nations fear their population will begin to imitate our selfishness. Selfishness and peace never walk hand in hand.
Peace is only possible through righteousness and righteousness is only possible through Christ. That is why those who have removed Christ from the public arena have grievously erred. They have eliminated the only Hope for peace on earth.
It is futile to sing "God Bless America" when His Son has been rejected. The "hopes and fears" of the world are still awaiting the proclamation heralded 2,000 years ago. It has been muffled in our time, but it will never be silenced. Those who make peace will forever "His love proclaim."
"How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!"
(Romans 10:14-15)Do you have beautiful feet? No, don’t take off your shoes and socks! Instead, think about those who God used in your life to bring you the "glad tidings" of the "gospel of peace." Their coming to you was a beautiful thing, and it still is. Isn’t it? However, it is essential that we not overlook an important aspect of sharing the good news.
Just this week I received a prayer request from a friend who has been sharing his faith with his dentist. The big problem he faces is that the dentist has it good right now. He is financially solvent, healthy, and all the rest. He discounts his need for God because he can handle things himself.
As we read the passage above, it is also important to remember that Paul spent the first two chapters of Romans explaining why everyone was a debtor before God. He then proceeds to talk of the futility of trying to please God on the basis of our own efforts. He demonstrates that we are God’s enemies (not a wise place to stay) and comes to a crisis point in Chapter 7 as he admits his need for a deliverer.
Only when we see that need, can we truly embrace what God has granted us in Christ. One cannot understand God’s grace until he first understands his condition before God outside of Christ. A critical part of the proclamation of peace is understanding the articles of war. How did we get in this mess in the first place?
In our time, God is often portrayed as some mushy-gushy entity who wouldn’t harm a fly. He is frequently stripped of his holiness and sovereignty, even in popular "Christian" books, movies and music. We need to understand that we have a better chance in the fiery furnace with Daniel’s friends than we do in the presence of Almighty God. He "...is a consuming fire."
Until we understand that, we don’t see our need and reconciliation (peace) is impossible.
The greatest gift you give this Christmas season may be awaking another wanderer to the reality in which he lives. The season will present many opportunities if we are looking for them and equip ourselves to be used. May God make us sensitive to those doors He opens so that others may come to regard us as "beautiful feet."
"So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria enjoyed peace, being built up; and going on in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it continued to increase." (Acts 9:31)
Ananias must have been shaking in his sandals when God sent him to Saul of Tarsus. What an appointment! The very man who had Christians in the region living in fear and unrest, was being called by God to take the gospel of peace to the Gentiles. Just imagine what it was like to be called to confront him.
Of course, it did help that God had already dealt with the raging tiger and subdued him. It was also providential that Saul was a man whose heart was right. However misguided his actions, he tells us they were done in good conscience.
Still, being the one sent into that situation is not something most of us would welcome. In spite of his fears, Ananias goes and the Apostle Paul begins his service to the Christ he once persecuted.
There are many themes we could develop from this passage, but I want us to note that because of the faithfulness of Ananias, peace came to the region. The monster was tamed and found a personal peace and that resulted in peace for the churches.
Let us not underestimate the power of the gospel of peace. As the Prince of Peace rules in more and more hearts, His kingdom of peace expands. We should live with the expectation and anticipation that its borders will continue to be enlarged.
To cede territory to those who do not desire true peace is a dereliction of duty on our part. We must not abandon the arena but trust Him who has called us. When we do, we will live in the victory that the early Christians experienced and fulfill our calling as citizens of New Jerusalem.
"And they rose up early on the morrow, and offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play." (Exodus 32:6)
Remember the context for this verse? You get an A if you identified it with the worship of the golden calf Aaron made for the people of Israel. That was an incredible scene wasn’t it?
They had left bondage in Egypt and come to Sinai for an appointment with Almighty God. Having witnessed His power in the plagues, the crossing of the Red Sea and more, we might expect them to realize that He was on their side.
The spectacle before them is awesome and at first they cower in fear. However, it doesn’t take long until they weary of waiting on Moses. They have little regard for Him who has called them and delivered them. They want a god they can see.
They bring their gold to Aaron and, being the pillar of faith that he was, he complied with their request and made the idol. It is likely that this was the figure of Apis, an Egyptian god in the form of an ox.
Rather than wait for the provision of God their Redeemer, they resort to worship of an image that represented their bondage. If you think that is the last time such things happened, you need to pay closer attention to current events.
Notice that they offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. They went through the motions but their desire for peace with God was empty because they had taken Him out of the picture. It is even possible that the food consumed in their orgiastic party were the very offerings they brought to God for peace.
The word for "play" here doesn’t mean board games. It has the connotation of a mockery. In eastern literature and culture it has strong overtones of sexual immorality. Understanding this allows us to better understand God’s wrath.
While He was in the very process of establishing a covenant with them, they were mocking Him and His anointed instrument Moses (If you think you see typology here, you are probably on target).
Were it not for our own failings, we might be amazed at such behavior. We are now engaged in a "war" to end terrorism. We are going to have peace (as our illustrious leaders choose to define it) and we’ll eliminate anyone who finds our methods and motives questionable. We have made a mockery of our laws by accepting secret military tribunals which try people on charges of terrorism without due process or the normal protection of our Constitution. It seems most people have decided that kind of dictated peace is preferable to making the sacrifices necessary to achieve the real thing.
It is ironic as we come to this season, that many Christians will sing of peace on earth, while their lack of diligence in their stewardship as citizens allows treachery to be perpetrated in the name of peace. We will sit down to eat and drink, and rise up to play, but God will be God and there will be a reckoning.
How much better it would be if, as recipients of peace with God, we cared so much about others that we would not abide the thought that our physical safety and comfort is being bought by the abuse of the liberty of others. Only when we desire a peace that respects others can we hope to have a peace which God will honor. Let us not contribute to the mockery of justice and true peace.
The Apprentice’s Journal
As this is being written, I am on the cusp of another birthday: the first of the new millennium. As a teenager, It would have been impossible for me to imagine what the world would be like when this date arrived. Sometimes, it is hard to imagine even now.
Things change. That is a given. How do we perceive those changes? That is an important question because how we perceive them of necessity determines how we respond to them and how we respond to them is of ultimate importance..
Life experience gives us a perspective that those with fewer years may not be able to grasp. I treasure those whose age and experience exceeds my own for the insight they bring to bear on situations and circumstances.
I am particularly indebted to my elders who remain diligent in faith and duty. They are people who are not afraid to think for themselves, nor or they afraid to express their views even when they are unpopular. Such leaders inspire and motivate me. They are a gift from God.
Their gift helps me to keep things in perspective. They remind me that whatever changes come in this world there is a Constant that brings order and stability to our personal lives. Even when chaos rages around us, God never changes.
He is a sure and certain anchor for our lives. Circumstances may grieve us. Terror may beset us. Doubt may threaten to overwhelm us. But, God sustains us by His unbreakable promise of peace.
Our oneness with Him through the work of Christ is our life-line. Words fail us when we attempt to express what that confidence really means to us. Still, it is important to try.
For years, I lived my life in fear that I would fail in some way and that God was just waiting for an excuse to reject me. When I finally began to understand I could never be good enough to satisfy Him, I realized my true condition and rejoiced in the grace and mercy that was mine in Christ.
In a nutshell, I accepted God’s terms of peace. However, that is not to say my life always exhibits the new nature that is mine. There are times when I fail to see how God would have me respond in a situation and there are times when I choose to do that which is improper (that’s a more comfortable way of saying I choose to sin).
As the years roll by, I find myself wanting more and more to please Him. That’s His doing, not mine. That desire serves to accent past failures and it would be easy to yield to self-condemnation. God’s peace won’t allow that and it’s reality causes me to rejoice all the more.
There is turmoil around us. That is undeniable. Nevertheless, our condition is not dictated by external factors. Our status is determined by that which is internal, eternal, and unseen. For that reason, it is a peace that the world cannot give, understand or take away.
It is a peace that allows us to confront treachery without despair. Because of our confidence in God’s peace toward us we can speak boldly in the face of evil and call it what it is without fear. Silence in the presence of evil may signal our lack of dependence upon God’s peace within.
My prayer for each of you is that you may know that peace more fully day by day and that it will empower you to expand your horizons as a peacemaker.
Being a peacemaker means that we must confront conflict not avoid it. Our example is Christ Himself. Our reconciliation to God required Him to confront the problem in a very real way. We should not imagine that we can be faithful peacemakers by non-confrontation.
If we pray for peace and sing for peace, let us act as God’s instruments of peace wherever He gives us opportunity.
If we are faithful in that regard, I believe peace will rule the earth. There will always be those who do evil, but peace will reign if those who know peace will fulfill their calling. God help us to do so.
In closing, note that Sharon’s report on her mission trip to Peru is included with this issue. To say that I am blessed by her faithfulness would be a huge understatement. She has wanted to do something like this all her life and I am thankful she had the opportunity.
Special thanks to all of you who helped make that trip possible for her. Don’t be surprised if she asks for your support for future trips! Take the time to read what she has written. (It was so tempting to write her story myself and she would rather I did! But I think you would rather hear her words than mine).
Till next time ... Jim
To this end also we pray for you always that our God may count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith with power; in order that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Thessalonians 1:11-12)