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Why is Peace so Elusive? We almost uniformly profess to desire peace, and throughout time peace has been the object of countless works of philosophy, economics, political theory, art, etc. - indeed virtually every academic discipline has attempted to develop a formula for peace.
But something is terribly wrong. Despite this craving for peace, the world is utterly consumed by strife. The human race is constantly striving for power, wealth, pleasure, and prestige. This striving begins within oneself only to spread like a cancer consuming family, friends, and ultimately nations. Do you doubt this? When did you last experience genuine peace personally and within your family? When was the last time you were in an argument and became angry? Do you hate or long for revenge against someone? Why have we witnessed quite possibly the most bloody period in the history of the world, with several hundred million war and war related deaths in the twentieth century? These deaths have occurred not withstanding countless countless political and charitable institutions founded with the primary objective of promoting peace during that same time period. It is undeniable that despite all our collective proclamations for peace, we are wholly incapable of grasping lasting peace on our own. Is there an answer for our hearts, our homes, and our nations? THE ROOT CAUSE - SIN LEADING TO DEATH Before recommending a cure, we must first diagnose the root cause of our collective illness. The Bible - the Word of God recorded for our instruction and blessing - explains that the cause is sin. Sin is simply this: rebellion against God. In willful and selfish pride Adam and Eve, formerly living in perfect peace and communion with God, rejected God's authority and in lawless rebellion ate the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden. As a result of this sin, God who is holy and perfect could no longer remain in peaceful communion with sinful man. (See Genesis 1-3). Sin comes at a very high price - nothing less than separation from God and ultimately death.
Not only does sin bring forth death, but its corrosive grip on the heart of man leads to a host of evils including "immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions...." (Galatians 5:19) Tragically but predictably the toll on humanity from this slavery to sin has been horrific and justly deserving the wrath of God:
Although men and nations may for a time ally themselves together to achieve mutually beneficial arrangements, such cooperation only lasts until another scheme proves more profitable. This is true of any relationship, whether a treaty among nations or an agreement among business partners, that is fundamentally based on the mutual promotion of selfish interests and prideful ambitions. Our entrenched arrogance is constantly reinforced and even praised by our society, where we are told that "you are worth it," "you deserve it," and "you have to make your own way." We might flatter ourselves that we can overcome our prideful and selfish nature through our own strength, but we are ultimately slaves to our sin and incapable of freeing ourselves from its grasp. Jesus said, "...everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin." (John 8:34) The Apostle Paul, reflecting on his former bondage to sin apart from Christ, lamented that:
As a result, the world is filled with people and nations hypocritically "saying 'Peace, peace,' but there is no peace." (Jeremiah 6:14) THE CURE - PEACE WITH GOD THROUGH CHRIST Now if we stopped here, we would truly be hopeless, for we have learned that the Bible plainly confirms what we have already observed throughout the course of history - that even the best intentioned man cannot extract himself from the mire of sin and its resulting strife to achieve lasting peace. And as a result of this sinful lawlessness, we stand justly condemned before God. Surely no perfect, holy, and just God could idly stand by and passively condone and leave unpunished even the slightest sinful infraction much less the collective evils of murders, wars, and wanton unrighteousness. Indeed, in relation to sin, "our God is a consuming fire." (Hebrews 12:29) But our God is also a God of unfathomable love and mercy. So much that when in His foreknowledge He perceived the lawlessness of man, He laid in place a plan to overcome that sin and restore man to a state of peace with God even before the foundations of the earth (Ephesians 1:3-14). God, in the person of Jesus Christ "emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men... He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross." (Philippians 2:7-8) In so doing He paid the price for our sin, enduring death for our sake. "For as through [Adam's] disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of [Jesus Christ] the many will be made righteous." (Romans 5:19) The radical impact of Jesus Christ's sacrifice for our sake has many, many implications. Among these is the birth of a well founded hope in an authentic peace - a peace that you can trust without reservation - that springs from the Lord Jesus Christ alone. The apostle Peter, a close friend and disciple of Jesus, boldly proclaimed the good news of "peace through Jesus Christ... that through His name everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sin." (Acts 10:36,43) And so anyone that would humbly and in faith turn to Jesus, though formerly a desperate and hopeless sinner at war with God, within himself and with all those about him, can enter into perfect rest by entering into "peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." (Romans 5:1) "For He Himself is our peace" who has reconciled us to God "through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity." (Ephesians 2:14-16) Having so attained peace with God, our bondage to sin and death is broken and we are newly alive in Christ. Though we were once slaves to sin, we have become "slaves to righteousness." (Romans 6:18) And while our slavery to sin once caused us to well up in pride, anger, strife, and violence, if we faithfully serve our new Master through the power of His presence in our lives we instead produce "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, [and] self-control" in our lives. (Galatians 5:22-24) What a contrast! Christ not only brings us peace with God but also brings peace in our relationships with those who surround us. And when the Lord Jesus Christ returns to gather those who have placed their faith in Him, He will finally bring peace to this world. In that day (and not a day earlier):
Jesus Christ - our peace - offers a totally different peace than anything man can offer. Jesus promised, "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful." (John 14:27) Man attempts to create social and political structures designed to mask or redirect our constant striving, but there is no peace apart from God. Christ actually blots out the sin that gives rise to the hostility and empowers us through His Spirit to fulfill His commandment to "love one another." (John 13:34) If you are weary of selfish striving in sin, will you not consider accepting Jesus Christ's free gift of grace and forgiveness? Then you can rest in "the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension." (Philippians 4:7)
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"If you abide in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine, and you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free."
John 8:31-32
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