Peace on Earth

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem that first Christmas, an angel announced the good news to the shepherds living in the fields nearby. They were joined by a vast heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased!” (Luke 2:14). The shepherds set out to find and behold the Messiah. Their pursuit is the glorious pursuit. Discovering the Messiah personally is not only to be a priority, but it is the only way to have peace in our personal lives and on this earth.

Continuing in Luke 2, Simeon prophesied that the promised Messiah had come, and he knew he would not die until he saw Him. Upon seeing Jesus, he said, “I have seen your salvation which You have prepared for all people. He is a light to reveal God to the nations, for He is the glory of your people.” He went on to say, “Jesus has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose Him.” And they do. They also oppose those dedicated to follow Him, hindering any progress toward peace.

I call your attention to the promise of the angels that “there will be peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” Jesus does only those things that please the Father. In Christ we are divinely enabled through the redemptive plan of God to become the person and individuals we were created to be. Christ is the expressed image of God; in Him the fullness of the Godhead dwells. Christ in us is the hope of God’s glory revealed to us and through us. He is the revelation of the Creator who made us in His image and who is our personal heavenly Father. He alone is the shelter from the storm, the one in whose shadow we must live and abide. He is the Good Shepherd directing our steps in the most troubling times. He is the living Lord and Savior, the only hope through which this world can be truly blessed and find peace.

Because we are created in God’s image, we are granted by His divine enabling the grace, wisdom and ability to create what is needed, what is wanted, what is meaningful, that which blesses us and blesses others. Blessing others blesses God and blesses us in the most personal and meaningful way.

The peace Jesus offers, which is not the false hope offered by the world, comes through a personal relationship with Him. Peace through a personal relationship with Him leads to a meaningful, God-centered relationship with our spouse, our family, our community and to the very ends of the earth.

We are to live as His family—a holy nation, a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, overcomers in this life, continually releasing His glorious light and love to a world in darkness, defeat and desperate for hope. We are called and set apart to reveal Him in all of His glory. We do this by becoming salt and light. Salt adds flavor to every aspect of life and preserves that which is precious. Light reveals both the error of our ways and the right ways in which we are to walk. We put our individual light on a lamp stand, refusing to hide it under any covering of compromise, conformity or lifeless religious traditions.

The apostle Paul’s promise was, “My God shall supply all of your needs according to His riches in glory.” He enables us to have more than enough to meet the needs of others. As those created in God’s image and living as faithful stewards of all He has entrusted to our oversight, we can discover ways to meet every challenge and need through the riches in Christ which He has lavishly poured on each of us as His children and those who have been redeemed—not by silver or gold, but with the precious blood of the Lamb slain before the very foundation of the world.

The hope Jesus freely offers is not wishful thinking; it’s a promise—the best gift available to the whole world. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13).

James Robison is the president and founder of LIFE Outreach International. He and his wife, Betty, will be co-hosting a LIFE TODAY Christmas special on December 25. Don’t miss it!