Have you ever watched the movie Miss Congeniality? It is one of my daughter’s favorite movies. When her best friend, Bekah, comes over they watch it and quote every line. They laugh when all of the girls state their great desire is for world peace as if they were all clones of one another.
During the holiday season, there is a lot of talk of peace on earth. It is in our songs, it is written on Christmas cards and even on some of the decorations. I recently heard Kay Arthur say “Christ did not come to bring peace to the earth.” What a bizarre sounding statement; however, if you look closely at the scriptures, you’ll see she is right.
Matthew 10:34 says “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.” We live in a sinful world where people desire to act first and apologize later. We like to view Jesus as a God of mercy, but we never take into account He is also a God of justice and we will all have to give an account on judgment day [Romans 14:10]. Only those who are believers will not need to worry when that day arrives [Hebrews 9:28].
Jesus did; however, come to bring peace to His disciples. Philippians 4:7 says “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” The final three words of the verse are key…in Christ Jesus. This peace only comes to those who are in Christ Jesus. This only happens when you declare Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior [Romans 10:].
This Christmas season, when you hear the words “Peace on Earth” you can know this peace is yours. It is intended for all who believe, yet all will not choose Him. Some will never chose Him and others who initially chose Him will turn from Him [2 Peter 2:20-21]. Because of this, we all need to take the Great Commission to heart [Matthew 28:18-20]. We need to share Christ at every opportunity. What better time to talk about Jesus than Christmas?