Peace on Earth, or Division?

[Pat]

WHAT mATTERS? Peace on Earth or Division?
“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me you might have peace.” John 16:33 (If we’re saved, we DO have peace.)
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We like to feel all warm and fuzzy this time of year, thinking thoughts of love and joy and peace towards our fellow man, but these ideals are not possible, unless we have been born again. As long as we leave Jesus wrapped in swaddling clothes in a manger, surrounded by lowing cows and other farm animals, with a star shining overhead, and Mary and Joseph beaming pridefully at becoming new parents while three kings present Him with presents, we might have a form of love, joy, and peace. That is, until the relatives arrive, or our feelings get hurt because nobody pays enough attention to us, or we don’t get what we think we deserve in a gift-wrapped box. It is in trying times that we begin to wonder whether “…peace on earth, good will toward men” did come to all men when Jesus was born, or is it something that is still to come?

We often quote Isaiah 9:6 and attribute it all to His first coming, “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The Almighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” But actually, the second half of this verse has not yet been fulfilled and is a prophesy concerning His second coming when He will establish His kingdom on earth in Jerusalem, having the government upon His shoulder and reign as the King of the Jews. Then the rest of those title names will be fulfilled in Him. But during His first coming He said, “Suppose that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, No; but rather division.” Luke 12:51 Why did He say this? Because the little baby Jesus in the manger is generally not offensive, but his adult death on the cross to pay for the sin and sins of the world and believing that He is the only way to God by that cross, is offensive to most people. Jesus, as properly presented in the Gospel, doesn’t unite people, He divides them. The only way to have true peace with God is by faith, as Paul tells us in Romans 5:1, “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:”

What matters is that time is short until the start of the Great Tribulation. Are we concerned enough for our friends and loved ones to tell them the truth, even if it offends them? Do we really believe Romans 1:16, “For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believes…” which proclaims that one must believe the Gospel in order to be saved? The Gospel is not that the baby Jesus was born, but that He grew up, lived a perfect life, was crucified paying the penalty for our sins, was buried and rose from the dead to give eternal life to them who trust what God has declared. “…if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and shall believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you shall be saved.” Romans 10:9 We who have been born again know this, but are we telling others, or are we content to leave the baby Jesus asleep in the manger? The apostle John said, “And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world.” 1 John 4:14 I pray that we’ll use discernment and be led by the Spirit as we share all of the Christmas account as presented in the Scriptures.

 

[lamonte]

I agree with you Pat, I am not shame of the Gospel of Christ, in the Gospel message we most tell the world the whole truth. When I share the Gospel, I also tell them about Gods judgment, that’s why I like to share Noah with them.

Mat 24:37 But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, 39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

2 Pe 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

Empire after empire has come and gone; nations have been raised, and nations have fallen, but the Kingdom of God has remained. The Medes, Persians, Greeks, and Romans all have died out. The pride and schemes of powerful leaders such as Alexander the Great, Attila the Hun, Genghis Khan, Caesar Augustus, Napoleon, Mussolini, Hitler, and even Stalin have amounted to nothing more than confusion and needless bloodshed. All the so-called great countries of the world will be destroyed at Jesus Christ coming that includes the United States. The world is like the Titanic full of pride and self-centeredness. You can remodel it, repaint it, make more laws to fight evil but it is still going to sink, there is no Hope outside of Christ which comes through the Gospel message.

 

[Wally]

TOS Verses are Mark 3:26, Zech 8:10, 2Cor 6:14

TOS does make a point, When we receive Christ, the world becomes our enemy. Yet the world loves its own.


John 15:18 “If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me before it hated you.

John 15:19​

If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own. However, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of it, the world hates you.​

1 John 3:13​

Do not be surprised, brothers, if the world hates you.​

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[Wally]

This reminds me of H Hurnard Hind's Feet in High Places, and Mountain of Spices.

We receive a seed from Christ that grows within us as we become His new creation made to inhabit eternity with Him.

 

[Wally]

Obedient Sheep,

What version of the Bible do you have?

Outside of Faith, What kind of things are Chinese Christians allowed to do?

 

[Wally]

I understand some of the culture there.

It seems anything that tries to replace China culture is extremely distasteful and is seen as dangerous there.

From what I know of Hudson Taylor, his greatest missionary work was to draw Chinese to Christ and keep them Chinese, not some American or western version of Christians in China.

Perhaps the government there would be friendlier if they understood Christ wants lordship of our hearts, not our governments.

Any challenge to governments is not about authority, its about fulfilling God's command to love one another. And Each government is obligated to protect its people and promote good conduct.

For God is already sovereign of government no matter what kind it is.

Romans 13:1-3 HCSB​

A Christian’s Duties to the State​

13 Everyone must submit to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those that exist are instituted by God. 2 So then, the one who resists the authority is opposing God’s command, and those who oppose it will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have its approval.

Sadly, power corrupts, and Governments start to fear the very populace they are to serve. From there its a short walk to tyranny.

But Christians have already been warned. No one can serve two masters, and sin corrupted governments are insanely jealous and any competition fuels their wrath.
We pray for the Church especially those in places where Christians are persecuted.

Be Strong. Be Encouraged. Be Christ's. For He loves you and gave all for you.

 

[dseno]

I pray for peace everyday. For the world to know peace as we know it and for the world to know the peace of Jesus Christ.

 

[Wally]

A noble desire and we all should seek peace where we can, especially within the body of Christ,

however this world hates us and the Lord we serve.
Peace will only come to earth when the Prince of Peace takes His throne, and following 1000 years, judges all and establishes peace forever.

 

[Pat]

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

 

[Wally]

A great promise of Christ: We have peace in our relationship with Him. A peace that is agape -love and remains with us no matter what we do.

That same peace needs to flow through us to the Church body, but unlike Christ, we are still marred by sin and often misplace or misdirect that peace.