WHY DOES PEACE ELUDE SO MANY?

LUKE 2:14: “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among people with whom He is pleased.” NASB ‭‭ OBSERVATION: Why does peace elude so many? Why does the world always seems to fall short of finding peace? Mankind hungers for peace, talks about peace, sings about peace, and yet peace always seems somehow just out of reach. There are peace talks, peace summits, peace protests, and peace organizations, all seemingly to no avail.

What is the disconnect with peace?

This is true even among Christians. Many believers wonder why Jesus has not brought peace to this earth. Some of this confusion comes from something as simple as a misreading of a single verse in Scripture. I grew up with the King James Bible and I love its poetic beauty. This is especially true when I read the Christmas story. Yet, one verse can lead us to misunderstand the promise of peace. It is Luke 2:14.

• “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, good will toward men.” Luke‬ ‭2‬:‭14‬ ‭KJV

There is a marked difference in this verse when reading the King James version. The familiar phrase reads – “…And on earth peace, good will toward men.” Yet, the story of Jesus’ life that follows is a story that is anything but the ushering in of peace for planet earth. In fact, Jesus Himself said,

• “Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I came to turn a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and a person’s enemies will be the members of his household.” Matthew‬ ‭10‬:‭34‬-‭36‬ ‭NASB

Jesus came to proclaim the message of the Kingdom of God. His message was – “Repent, for the Kingdom of God has come near you.” Jesus came as light in a world lost in darkness. The worship of God had eroded into a dead form of legalistic observances. The nation of Israel was looking for deliverance from Roman oppression but not from their own personal sin. People freely received the blessings of Jesus but they rejected the message of Jesus.

Yet, Jesus did come to bring peace. However, it was not the peace that the Jews were seeking. It was not an external peace. And, it was not a peace that was promised to all men. It was a personal peace that was given only to those who surrendered their lives in faith. As Luke 2:14 correctly proclaims,

• “And on earth peace among people with whom He is pleased.” (NASB)

With whom is God pleased? It is with those who receive His Son and abide in His truth. To those who deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow Jesus, these are the ones who receive His peace!

• “Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will follow My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our dwelling with him. The one who does not love Me does not follow My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine, but the Father’s who sent Me. “These things I have spoken to you while remaining with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and remind you of all that I said to you. Peace I leave you, My peace I give you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, nor fearful.” John‬ ‭14‬:‭23‬-‭27‬ ‭NASB

Peace does not come from without. It only comes from within. It is the gift of God through Jesus Christ our Lord. It was paid for through Christ’s death on the cross and it is received by those who place their faith in His wonderful free gift.

• “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,”. Romans‬ ‭5‬:‭1‬ ‭NASB

Yet, so many believers live as if this was not a reality in their life. Why is this? It is because our peace with God is only realized in our daily lives as we walk with God in truth. Jesus promised the gift of the Holy Spirit in our lives. His purpose is to lead us in the truth of God – “…He will teach you all things and remind you of all that I said to you.” It is in this context that Jesus then proclaims,

• “Peace I leave you, My peace I give you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, nor fearful.”

God’s peace, the peace that Jesus came to give us, comes only through the cross and through His Word. We have peace with God through the cross (our salvation by grace through faith) and we have peace in this life through the Holy Spirit as we walk in and obey His Word. His grace is given to us freely so that we can have the power to obey Him. The Holy Spirit teaches us, convicts us, leads us, and empowers us to walk in His truth. It is in our obedience to the truth where we experience the peace of God. This is why peace alludes so many.

• “These things I have spoken to you so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” John‬ ‭16‬:‭33‬ ‭NASB

Lord, thank you for Your gift of peace. Thank you for the cross and the blood of Christ that washes me clean from my sin and transforms me into a child of God. Thank you for Your Word that leads me in the paths of truth and righteousness and gives me Your peace. Help me to embrace Your peace through both faith and obedience. Keep my mind, my heart, and my feet directed and focused on You alone!

• “The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, Because he trusts in You.” Isaiah‬ ‭26‬:‭3‬ ‭NASB

In Jesus’ Name!