Seeking the Peace of the Kingdom
Seeking God . . . to Raise up Champions of Peace by His Spirit
On the night of Christ’s birth the heavenly host proclaimed “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” (Luke 2:14 KJV) Isaiah 9:6 tells us that one of the names given to the child would be “Prince of Peace.”
While men speak much of peace it has proven itself time and again to be quite elusive. Even now nations are at war with nations, politicians of differing philosophies shout at one another across the aisle as to how to secure peace, churches divide over inconsequential matters, families are filled with strife, and the minds, hearts, and s pirits of individuals are deeply troubled. Men and women long for peace but seem unable to lay their hands upon it.
The missing piece in many people’s search for peace is the child of Bethlehem. And that is where the Christian comes in. We are to proclaim God’s peace and good will toward men just as the heavenly host did s o long ago.
The apostle Paul put it this way in 2 Corinthians 5:18-20 (NIV), “All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.”
In finding peace with God one will be able to find peace with him/herself and with others. And we have the opportunity, nay, responsibility, to be those of whom Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called s ons of God.” (Matthew 5:9 NIV)
May we rise up as ambassadors of the Prince of Peace!
Bill Holley
Eastview Christian Church
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