Peace
Posted by: forthrightmag <forthrightmag@...>
http://www.forthright.net
Straight to the Cross
COLUMN: Understanding the Times
Peace
by Emmett Smith
Have you ever heard of Neville Chamberlain? He was
the British Prime minister who was succeeded by
Sir Winston Churchill. He is notorious for his
appeasement of Hitler. He only sought "peace for
our time"! But he failed to recognize that he was
dealing with an enemy who could not be trusted and
who did not want peace. Jeremiah wrote of some in
his day who sound similar to Chamberlain. They
falsely contradicted Jeremiah's prophecy of
Judah's destruction, "saying 'Peace, peace,' when
there is no peace" (Jeremiah 8:11).
Yet peace could have been theirs had they simply
turned to the Lord. Solomon wisely said that,
"When a man's ways please the Lord, he makes even
his enemies to be at peace with him" (Proverbs
16:7). However, we should never forget that the
evil one is not trustworthy and that he doesn't
want peace! We are engaged in a spiritual war,
whether we choose to admit it or not. Thus Paul's
admonitions regarding the armor and offensive
weapons of the Christian warrior as recorded in
Ephesians 6:10-20. Read that passage and remember
that we are at war, and we will not be at peace
with that enemy until the Lord's return.
As David wrote,
"Mark the blameless and behold the upright, for
there is a future for the man of peace. But
transgressors shall be altogether destroyed; the
future of the wicked shall be cut off. The
salvation of the righteous is from the LORD; he is
their stronghold in the time of trouble. The LORD
helps them and delivers them; he delivers them
from the wicked and saves them, because they take
refuge in him." (Psalms 37:37-40)
Our salvation is from the Lord. If we take refuge
in Him we have a future! We shall be victorious
and we shall see peace. But as Isaiah said,
"'There is no peace,' says my God, 'for the
wicked'" (Isaiah 57:21).
Paul told the Ephesians that Jesus Himself is our
peace, having broken down the wall of hostility
between Jew and Gentile, and having reconciled us
both to (made peace with) God in one body (the
church) through the cross (Ephesians 2:14-18).
As He Himself said, "Peace I leave with you; my
peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I
give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled,
neither let them be afraid" (John 14:27).
So if we are at peace with God, we may acquire
"the peace of God, which surpasses all
understanding." Even in the midst of turmoil. That
peace is not attainable from the world!
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in
everything by prayer and supplication with
thanksgiving let your requests be made known to
God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all
understanding, will guard your hearts and your
minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6,7).
----
You can help us get the word out. Here's how:
forthright.antville.org/stories/340415/