Matthew and Luke record the events surrounding the Christmas story. As the birth of Jesus was announced to the Shepherds, Luke records that “…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).
Peace is an essential element of the Christmas story. Jesus Himself is called the Prince of Peace – a title describing His ministry of reconciliation.
As ambassadors of Christ here on earth, we proclaim this message of reconciliation. There are three ways in Scripture that God seeks to use us to bring peace to a troubled world:
• Peace between self and others
• Peace between man and man
• Peace between men and God
God want to use us to bring true and lasting peace between men and God. This is the work of evangelism. Paul says, “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1).
Only Jesus could bring peace between God and man and He accomplished it through the power of the cross. The very thing that the enemy used as an instrument of death, God used as an instrument of peace and reconciliation (Colossians 1:20). And we have been given the privilege of sharing that message of peace and reconciliation with others. Ephesians 6:15 calls the Gospel, the Gospel of peace – the Good News that man can have peace with God through the Lord Jesus Christ.
With so many uncertainties in the world today, people have good reason to be troubled and anxious. Let’s be alert to the God-given opportunities this Christmas season to share our faith and to be instruments of peace and reconciliation to others.
Morris Hull
Home Life Ministries
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