In this Advent season, one of the most constant messages I have received has been on it being a celebration of peace. After all, one of Christ Jesus’s titles was the Prince of Peace.
Though many people, including Christians, seem to have lost their sense of peace and let tiredness seep into their lives, we should remember that we have a God who is always watching over us and that Jesus has promised us that He will always be by our side.
In fact, in John 14:27, Jesus said that the peace He gives to us is one that the world cannot give. Furthermore, Jesus’s peace is lasting. Recently, I was reminded of this when I was listening to a sermon by Pr Benny Liew of DUMC.
What Is The Meaning of Peace?
Pr Benny pointed out that the desire for peace is inherent in every individual, whether they are a world leader, a working adult faced with the pressures of deadlines and workload, a homemaker taking care of kids, or a student just trying to make it through the semester.
Peace can mean different things to different people. To some, it simply means a quiet moment, away from all the noise and chaos of the world, to others it’s being in a position of rest, while to more others it’s a period where there’s no warfare (whether between nations or even against a pandemic).
The Bible’s definition of peace encompasses all these but it takes it a step further. Peace in the Bible is defined as a state of wholeness, which includes welfare and prosperity, as well as the absence of hostility. It does not separate all these elements into distinct parts. Rather, they together made up one whole. The Bible defines peace in terms of the relationship marked by God and people of love and loyalty.
Why Do We Desire Peace?
Why is the desire for peace such an innate thing in every human? Pr Benny shared three reasons. The most obvious of these is to get rid of brokenness and sorrow. In our times of stress and suffering, we feel the absence of peace. We feel the hurt and we want to be comforted. It is only peace that can relieve us of the pain and anxiety.
Deep down, we all have a sense that the world is broken and imperfect. We know that suffering is universal and everywhere and we cannot escape death. As Christians, we know that the suffering is caused by sin which separated us from God, and our inner being longs to reconcile with Him. Peace can only come when we are free from the consequences of sin.
It is also through peace that we can glorify God. In the early days of the church, the people were living in the reverence of God and they were encouraged by the Holy Spirit. Despite the hardships, the early church had a mighty presence of peace and they grew rapidly.
How Do We Obtain Lasting Peace?
The good news is that God has not left us on our own. God desires to reconcile us back to Him, and He has always engaged Himself on a plan to restore us. Pr Benny outlined three significance of what Christ Jesus has done for us and why He is known as the Prince of Peace.
Through His birth and resurrection, Christ Jesus established a new covenant between us and God. Through Christ, we are the recipients of God’s blessings. Jesus came for us and redeemed us from sin. He is our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and our Prince of Peace. He counsels us and He is always there for us. We don’t have to worry because He provides for us.
Through Jesus’s sacrifice, He has also redeemed our past, present, and future. God had made Him who had no sin to be sin for us so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. He has taken away the curse of sin from us.
And finally, Christ Jesus has brought us lasting peace, and of this peace, there will be no end.
Isaiah 9:6-7
New International Version
6 For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the greatness of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
will accomplish this.
Christ Jesus’s Lasting Peace
Pr Benny shared that in these difficult times many long for God’s lasting peace. Because the peace that Jesus brings is found in Him, and not of the temporal things of the world, His peace is forevermore. One day He will return again and there will be no end to His government of justice, righteousness, and peace. Jesus Himself is our peace. He has reconciled us back to God, freed us from the consequences of sin, and established an open relationship that is marked by God between us and God.
What Is Our Response?
How do we apply the peace that Jesus has brought us?
Firstly, we can be at peace. Jesus said that though in this world there will be trouble, we can take heart because He has overcome the world. Christ Jesus is in us, with us, and for us.
Secondly, we can live in peace. Pr Benny imparted that this is action-oriented. God is interceding for us.
Philippians 4:6
New International Version
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Thirdly, being recipients of God’s peace, we can offer peace unto others. We must pursue peace. Matthew says that blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Timothy also urges that petitions, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made for all people for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.
Lasting peace can only be found in Jesus. When we open our hearts, we can be at peace, live in peace, and offer peace to others. We can help others mend their brokenness and sorrow.
Note: This article is written as an independent response/reflection of a sermon by Pr Benny Liew of DUMC. It is unaffiliated with DUMC or with Pr Benny.
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Imprint of hyper grace heretic teachings….we are sinners, not righteousness of God…
Andie, that was a direct quotation from 2 Corinthians 5:21. The doctrine of imputed and imparted righteousness is a traditional one within the mainline churches, especially in Methodism. Yes, we are sinners saved through the grace of God and through our faith in Christ Jesus, but Jesus did not die and resurrect in vain. There was a purpose in His sacrifice and to deny that is also a form of heresy. I would like to emphasise again that it is through and in Christ that our righteousness comes.