When the angels came to the shepherds and announced the birth of Jesus, they used the words: “Peace on earth and good will toward men”, Luke 2:14. The fact that Jesus was born, brought the possibility of man having peace in his life. When He came to earth, the possibility of peace came with Him.
Of course, the peace that the angels spoke about was first spiritual and personal but then, if man found this peace through Jesus, there is the possibility that peace can be had in every area of life for we human beings. This includes peace among the people of the world. Although man desires this peace, it is a difficult thing to find on the secular and political scenes. But, the Lord tells us over and over again that peace is possible. We just don’t hear him clearly.
The word “peace” is used about 100 times in the New Testament so it must be an important byproduct of the presence of the Lord Jesus. In John 14:27, He says…’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.” In this statement, the Lord is telling us that the peace that He gives transcends any form of peace that this world can afford. Peace is not the absence of hostilities. Nations think this is true but it is not. What they call peace is when nations stop fighting but peace goes much deeper than that. What mankind needs is the kind of peace the Lord brings and it is given to them free when they trust in Him as their Savior and Lord.
The main thing that motivates people to take some particular action is fear. Just about everything in our society appeals to the emotion of fear and those selling their product know that. People respond to fear quicker than to anything else. Notice all the news on television along with all the “commentators” which consume so much of a person’s time as they try to find out what is happening in today’s world. It’s all negative and it convinces people that they are under threat of life and limb. Just about every news item is negative and highlights a threat to society. Just think about it. How many times do you hear a news reporter talk about something positive which uplifts life? A number of years ago some people started a newspaper in California that was dedicated to “Good News.” All it printed….good news. That newspaper went out of business after only a short time. No one wanted to hear the good news. They preferred something bad, tragic and stressful.
The ”preservation principle” drives people to want to know what is bad and threatening more that they want to be informed of something good. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is God’s Good News to us. It’s not negative. It’s positive and uplifting. Something that the world’s population is not used to. They are drawn like a magnet to the bad, the evil, the condemning. Somehow, they see those kinds of things as a threat to them personally so they want information about those things which are bad. Bad sells.
In Romans 14:19, The Apostle Paul urges us to: “Follow after things which make for peace, and things with which one may edify another.” Peace is probably the most desired thing that people search for. Money doesn’t bring peace. Position and power do not bring peace. Popularity doesn’t bring peace either. Real peace can come from only one place and by one person. It comes from Jesus and it will carry a person through the most trying of circumstances in life. The “peace that passes all understanding” can only come from the Lord. The world can’t give it.
When that kind of peace settles in on a person, something cleansing and without stress settles in on the soul. A simple trust and abandonment of self comes when God gives a person the kind of peace that only He can give. The most distressing of circumstances seem to take on another dimension which assures a person that all will be well; that Jesus is present with you and He will sustain you. He removes the threat that we all spend our time trying to battle against.
Just watch a little television and you will be bombarded with a myriad of commercials selling all the newest of medicines. Why, there is a new medicine for every conceivable malady humans might incur. One after one they are advertised to the public. If a person will analyze the commercials, they will see that the advertisers build their sales promotion upon fear. They build the fear for a malady that most people will never experience in a lifetime then they promote the medicine that will keep one from getting that sickness. But, if one will listen, the possible side effects take the chance on giving one something more serious than the malady the new medicine is suppose to protect one against. Its crazy but it must work because they continue to spend money to promote the myriad of new medicines. The Pharmaceutical business laughs all the way to the bank. But the motivational emotion is fear.
But, Jesus gives us the possibility of living above all of this. The world naturally promotes fear. This is a fallen world and it is satan’s territory according to the Bible in Ephesians 2:2. He was thrown down to the earth like lightning the moment he sinned against God so Jesus tells us. He brings fear with him and he naturally instills fear just as Jesus naturally instills peace. Every Christian has the possibility of peace in their heart and life. Every unbeliever wants peace but they can never find it because the world and its “god” satan, brings fear, hate and sin into a life; not peace.
Once a person experiences the Peace of Jesus, it becomes one of the most precious things in their life. They never want to give it up for anything. This world naturally brings stress, restlessness, hate and trouble. The Lord Jesus Christ brings salvation, peace and assurance. He teaches us how to live in a world which knows no peace. So, when fear pounces on you, there is a source of peace….Jesus. When fear dominates your emotions as it dominates the world, there is a way out and that way out is Jesus Christ.
We live in a world that needs Peace and there is only one real source of it; Jesus Christ. What we all desire is Peace in a World of Fear. I urge you to go to the source of Peace today and that source will never let you down. His Name of Jesus.
