Response Required

"The LORD appeared to him from afar, saying, “I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore I have drawn you with lovingkindness.'" 

Jeremiah 31:3

When Elizabeth Barrett married Robert Browning, her parents disowned her because they disapproved of the union. Elizabeth wrote to her parents almost every week, telling them that she loved them and longed for a reconciliation.  After 10 years she received a huge box in the mail that contained all the notes she had sent.  None had been opened.  Although these “love letters” have become an invaluable part of classical English literature, it’s really sad to think that they were never read by Elizabeth Barrett’s parents.  Had they looked at just one, the broken relationship with their daughter might have been restored.

The Bible is God's love letter to us. Over and over again He has told us of His love for us and  His longing for reconciliation. More than this, He has shown us His love. "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)  This love demonstrated to us through Jesus is from everlasting. "For He was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but has appeared in these last times for the sake of you" (1 Peter 1:20)  Because of His great love God continues to woo the unsaved. Sadly, some people never respond. 

Peace on Earth

And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,“Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.” 

Luke 2:13-14

Our world often speaks of peace. The Bible speaks of peace, too:

Peace with God - that's the peace between man and God. "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ," (Romans 5:1)

Peace of God - the peace that we can have internally. "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful." (John 14:27)

Peace with others - this is peace we can experience when we have the first two: peace with God and the peace of God. "So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another." (Romans 14:19)

Aren't these three forms of peace the kind we really desire? It begins with a relationship with Jesus Christ. When we confess our sins and give ourselves to Him, we are reconciled with God; no longer under condemnation (Romans 8:1). He then gives us the Holy Spirit to indwell us and give us the internal peace that we need to face life's trials and disappointments. Finally, He teaches us how to have peace with others -- even when they are anything but peacemakers themselves. There can be peace on earth. Not as the world gives, but as Christ gives.

Lasting Peace

"Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord, equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen."

Hebrews 13:20-21

Our God is a God of peace. He doesn't want enmity between Himself and man. That's why He gave His Son, Jesus Christ, as an atonement for our sin. On the cross Jesus shed His blood, accomplishing what was necessary to reconcile God to man. And God the Father showed His approval of His Son's work by resurrecting Him from the dead. If we have accepted Christ's sacrifice for our sins, then we are no longer "sheep that have gone astray" (Isaiah 53:6). We have a Great Shepherd who cares for us and will give us all we need to do His will. Doing His will is not a burden. It is a wonderful privilege. To Jesus Christ belongs the glory. For in Him we have lasting peace with God. 

The Great Reconciler

In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest; And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased."

Luke 2:9-14

The birth of Jesus Christ is "good news of great joy. . .for all the people".  The Messiah is born to deliver His people from the oppression of sin.  But He is not just the Savior of Israel. He is the Savior of all mankind. There is no one who is outside of His grace. There has never been One like Jesus, nor will there ever be again. He is unique. The only Son of God, born to the glory of the Father, yet existing eternally. The Alpha and the Omega. He left His heavenly home and took on flesh to carry out the plan of redemption, reconciling men to God through His shed blood. 

Bridge of Reconciliation

"Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation."

2 Corinthians 5:18-19

As Christians, we have a ministry given to us by God. It is the ministry of reconciliation. God has bridged the gap between Himself and humankind with the gift of His son Jesus. Through His sacrifice on the cross we have forgiveness of sins and have been reconciled to the Father. Now we have the privilege of sharing this wonderful gospel news with those who do not yet know the love of God. Christ has bridged the gap. Spread the news!

No More Walls

"For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall," Ephesians 2:14

Once a wall existed between God and mankind. A wall also existed between Jew and Gentile. Christ came to fulfill the letter of the law -- the dividing wall -- and abolish it forever through His work on the cross. Through Christ's sacrifice God reconciled Himself to both Jew and Gentile. Christ broke down the barrier and the Church was born. Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace.