I read somewhere that from 1500bc-850AD there were 7,500 “eternal covenants” agreed upon among various nations. And none of them lasted longer than two years. Peace and harmony appear to be elusive. Many times it feels like they are just out of reach for us and within others grasps.
This reminds me of the funny line from the Dennis the Menace movie of several years ago. Walter Matthau playing the grouchy Mr. George Wilson said, “Why is it that when everyone else feasts on the pleasures of life I’m the one who gets the indigestion?”
Can you enjoy the pleasure without the indigestion? Could peace and harmony actually be available to you?
I actually think it is more than available. We may have been on the outside looking in and even feel a day late and dollar short but we can get in on this. Listen to what the Bible has to say about our pathway to peace.
Ephesians 2:11-15 - But don't take any of this for granted. It was only yesterday that you outsiders to God's ways had no idea of any of this, didn't know the first thing about the way God works, hadn't the faintest idea of Christ. You knew nothing of that rich history of God's covenants and promises in Israel, hadn't a clue about what God was doing in the world at large. Now because of Christ—dying that death, shedding that blood—you who were once out of it altogether are in on everything.
14-15The Messiah has made things up between us so that we're now together on this, both non-Jewish outsiders and Jewish insiders. He tore down the wall we used to keep each other at a distance. He repealed the law code that had become so clogged with fine print and footnotes that it hindered more than it helped. Then he started over. Instead of continuing with two groups of people separated by centuries of animosity and suspicion, he created a new kind of human being, a fresh start for everybody.
Here’s how peace affects our life.
1) Peace gives us a release (from our Sin).
Romans 8:1 - Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,
2) Peace gives us a reason (to fellowship with Jesus and Christian family).
Romans 8:14-17a because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
3) Peace gives us assurance (of our salvation).
Romans 8:31-39 What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:
"For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
4) Peace gives us a hope.
Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Always Enthusiastic,
Dr. Rusty Newman
