World Peace?

Real peace among humans can only be achieved when people first make peace with God

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Peace is a basic human need (though not a human right). Without it we cannot rest, nor can we work effectively; it is vital for our health. Peace is the essential ingredient for humans co-existing, for being together and functioning together. 

Through Isaiah the Lord makes an offer: "Peace, peace, to the far and to the near,” says the Lord, “and I will heal him." Then he says "There is no peace,” says my God, “for the wicked.” (Isaiah 57:19-21)

Spiritualists tell us to 'visualize world peace', but at a human level you might just as well 'visualize whirled peas' (not my pun). I would go so far as to say that 'world peace' is an oxymoron. A godless world is incapable of peace and will always tend to greed for power resulting in oppression, conflict and annihilation. The evidence? - world history.

'The way of peace they do not know, and there is no justice in their paths; they have made their roads crooked; no one who treads on them knows peace.' (Isaiah 59:8)

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Even Jesus said: 'Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division.' (Luke 12:51)  Jesus was correctly predicting that tribes and nations would fight as much over religion as they do over resources, and that persecution over creed would override even family cohesion.

Jesus came to offer a different kind of peace, one that the world could not understand. He knew that real peace among humans could only be achieved when people first make peace with God. 

On the eve of his crucifixion he made this promise to his disciples: 'Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you.' (John 14:27). 

This peace is not only available to each one of us but is a biblical command delivered through Paul: 'And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.' (Colossians 3:15)

The word 'rule' (Gk brabeuo) is best translated 'to act as referee'. In the recent Rugby World Cup the referee would confidently stand between two huge opposing prop-forwards, knowing that he has the authority to send off aggressive players. In the same way the peace of Christ is the authority that drives out the fear and anxiety that world events would instil in us. 

As we lament over the cruel and tragic loss of life and well-being in Israel and Gaza, in Ukraine, and in many other wars across our troubled planet, we know that peace will only come when the Prince of Peace returns to the very spot from where he ascended, just outside Jerusalem.

Meanwhile we can know peace, not as the world gives, but the peace of Christ ruling in our hearts, sharing that peace with the church - the 'one body'. The peace of Christ drives out fear and panic from our hearts. No wonder we can be thankful.

Shalom

Author: John Plumb

May God bless and enrich your life

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