Luke 2:13-14 (NKJV)
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host PRAISING GOD AND SAYING:
14 “Glory to God in the highest, AND ON EARTH PEACE, goodwill TOWARD MEN!”
Think about this for a moment: What if the people around you knew that God wasn't angry with them, what difference will that make in their lives?
At the birth of Jesus, the angels praised God saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and ON EARTH PEACE, good will toward MEN.”
The angels definitely weren't saying that Jesus was born to establish "world peace" because Jesus Himself said in Matthew 10:34-36, "DO NOT THINK that I have come to bring peace on the earth; I HAVE NOT COME TO BRING PEACE, but a sword [of division between belief and unbelief]. 35 For I have come to SET A MAN AGAINST HIS FATHER, AND A DAUGHTER AGAINST HER MOTHER, AND A DAUGHTER-IN-LAW AGAINST HER MOTHER-IN-LAW; 36 and A MAN'S ENEMIES WILL BE THE MEMBERS OF HIS [own] HOUSEHOLD [when one believes and another does not]" (Amplified).
This shows that the 'peace' that the angels sang about is not 'world peace' but peace BETWEEN God and man! They were excited that the acrimony between God and humanity was over!
Before Jesus came, God's wrath was directed towards man because that is what the justice of God demanded. Even though God was gracious and merciful to the Israelites, the Old Covenant was a covenant of wrath that kept man in anticipation of God's punishment. Romans 4:15 says, "For the LAW PROVOKES PUNISHMENT, and where no law exists there cannot be a violation of the law" (Passion).
Jesus however came and paid the price! He broke down the wall of strife and in His own body absolved everyone of their sins and transgression. Romans 5:1 says, "OUR FAITH in Jesus TRANSFERS GOD’S RIGHTEOUSNESS TO US and he now DECLARES us FLAWLESS in his eyes. This means we can now enjoy TRUE AND LASTING PEACE WITH GOD, all because of what our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One, has done for us" (Passion).
It is our faith in what Jesus has done - not our self effort or piousity - that transfers God's absolute rightness to us! God now makes an open declaration, a standing verdict concerning the person who believes - YOU ARE FLAWLESS IN MY EYES! This declaration is the basis of 'true' and 'lasting' peace between God and man! This is what the angels were excited about at Jesus' birth.
Today; telling others what God has done for us is the primary purpose and pursuit of everyone who has found this peace with God.
2 Corinthians 5:18-19 says, "And God has made all things new, and RECONCILED us to himself, and GIVEN US the MINISTRY OF RECONCILING OTHERS to God. 19 In other words, it was through the Anointed One that God was shepherding the world, not even KEEPING RECORDS OF THEIR TRANSGRESSIONS, and he has ENTRUSTED to us the MINISTRY of opening the door of reconciliation to God" (Passion).
As a believer, this is why you are alive and on earth. Anything you do that isn't built around this central ideology is just a waste of your precious time as a believer!
Imagine the world of difference it will make when your friend, colleague, staff, neighbors, contacts and associates discover this amazing truth.
Make it your mission this new month that everyone within your sphere and influence will hear this amazing and beautiful truth.
Happy New Month!
DECLARE:
||Thank you Father for making peace with me through the sacrifice of your Son Jesus on the cross. His blood has reconciled me to you and I commit to helping others see that the peace I have received and enjoy is also available to them in Jesus name.||
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