Peace Through The Christ of Christmas.
Don Salmans reminds us that Christmas is not just about a baby in a manger, but about Jesus, the One who brings peace and joy to the world!
Christmas is Close!
My wife was reminding me today how close Christmas is. I can’t believe it. But you know, I do enjoy Christmas! But you might be thinking, what do you want for Christmas? What do you want? Well, maybe it’s even too soon to think about it. But you know when I look around at the world – there’s so much turmoil and upheaval and stress, and war. I think one thing the world needs for Christmas is peace.
When the Lord Jesus came into the world as a little baby, it was announced to the shepherds, remember those shepherds who were out in the fields, that the Jesus had been born. Luke 2:8 says,
“and there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night, an angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shown around them and they were terrified.”
Talk about some people who needed peace.
“But the angel said to them, Do not be afraid, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests.’”
The World Longs For Peace
Peace to men. Oh how the world longs for peace. You know, it was estimated several years back now, in the last 5600 years there have been over 14,000 wars. And I think as of today that number has increased considerably.
It says in Jeremiah 30 verse five,
“Thus says the Lord I have heard a sound a terror of dread and there is no peace.”
How applicable is that to where we’re at? no peace. We not only long for global peace, especially for some of these dear people in these countries where war and threat of war is rampant but we long for personal peace. Some people feel it’s hopeless. But peace is possible because Christ has come.
Peace From the Christ of Christmas
Peace is that a sense of wellbeing? Do you have that sense? That inner sense of wellbeing comes ultimately from God. He is referred to as the God of peace in Romans 15 the God of peace. He is a source of peace. And it is only through him that true peace is possible. And this peace was made possible by the coming of His Son, Jesus Christ. When he came as a babe, as we celebrate at Christmas, all that he accomplished was to bring us that peace.
It was prophesied in Isaiah 9:6, “for a child will be born to us,” talking about the birth of Jesus, “a son will be given to us and the government will rest on his shoulders.” This is talking about future events that he will bring about, “and his name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.” Prince of Peace, he one day will bring peace within our world. But before that is possible he had to make peace available between man and God. We ourselves need peace with God.
Romans 5:10 says,
“while we were enemies”
we were born enemies were sinful. By nature, we’re children. It says in Ephesians 2, children of wrath, we need to come back into a relationship of peace with God, the God of the universe. Romans 5 states, in verse 8,
“but God demonstrates His love toward us,”
God loves people, he loves you,
“But in that while we were still sinners,”
still messed up,
“Christ died for us.”
In that same chapter, Romans 5:10, says,
“For if, while we were enemies,”
were at odds with God,”
in rebellion against God’s sinners against God,
“we were reconciled to God through the death of his son.”
Jesus came not just to be a baby, that we would celebrate at Christmas, he came ultimately to go to a cross to die in our place to pay for our sin. And it is through his death, that we have the possibility of peace as we are told in Colossians 1:20 the Lord Jesus
“made peace through the blood of his cross.”
Have you trusted in him? In Romans 5, that wonderful chapter, verse 1 says,
“therefore having been justified by faith,”
That means being declared right. When we trust Christ, justified by faith, we have peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ. Oh, I hope that’s true for you. But you have to put your faith, you have to realize you have a need, and that Christ met your need when he died on the cross. And now you trust him to be your personal Savior, you entrust your life to Christ to save you. And there is no peace with God until we trust in Christ to be our Savior.
A Story of a Young Man
The story is told years ago, about a young man who worked on the shipping docks. And there was a preacher preaching among some of the sailors, who were docked at that time. He spoke on the passage in Romans 5, where we being justified by faith, have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. There was one young man in that group who was listening. And another sailor, who was a Christian, talked to him more about what Christ had done for him when he went to the cross and died there for him. And the sailor really thought hard about it, but he didn’t make a decision right then.
But the next day, that young man, and the one who had shared Christ with him, hearing the message about being justified by faith set out to sea. There was a tragic accident, and the ship began to sink. Then young Christian man who was in a lifeboat called out to his friend who was holding on to a piece of the boat that was soon to sink. That dying man yelled back, if you see that preacher again tell him that all is well. I have peace with God.
That young man had put his faith in Christ, and even at this dark hour in the middle of the ocean, he knew he had peace with God, because his trust was in the Lord Jesus
Peace With God
May each one today put their trust in Christ that no matter what happens in this life, we would all have peace with God, because we have put our faith in Christ.
Do you have peace with God? We would love to hear from you. Comment below or contact us at HopeStreamRadio.
Don Salmans
Don and Martie live in Ontario where he preaches in various churches in the area.
Much of his time is invested in his own local church, Edmison Heights Bible Chapel, where he is currently an elder.
Don and Martie have been married 43 years and have two grown sons and seven grandchildren. One of his greatest joys in this season of his life is simply spending time with his grand kids.
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