True, lasting peace through Christ

Peace!  We cry out for peace!  Peace in Israel.  Peace in Ukraine.  Peace in the corridors of our government.  Peace at the borders of our country.  Peace in the streets of our land.  Peace in our homes.  Peace within ourselves.  What causes this lack of peace?  What is this peace we so greatly desire in so many venues of life?  What does it mean to pray for peace?

For many it is a lack of conflict, a sense of tranquility, wanting the best for everyone’s welfare. We see this in Jeremiah 29:7 where God tells them “And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the Lord for it; for in its peace you will have peace.”  In the prosperity and success of the city where the people had been taken as captives, they would benefit from the same.  Understanding this leads us to ask why can’t people just get along. And the answer is because we are all selfish, prideful and unforgiving.  I mean, think of a personal conflict you have with someone right now — and be honest — there is selfishness, pride and unforgiveness as the major issue in your conflict, right?

Apply those three causes to the list above and you will see the same result: a lack of peace.  And yes, even with the last one — within yourself.  Our selfishness, pride and need to seek forgiveness cause a lack of peace within each of us.  Isaiah 9:6 gives us a list of the offices the Messiah (Jesus) would fulfill.  And one of them is Prince of Peace.  If we truly desire peace within, the only source of lasting, never-ending peace is Jesus.  Man declared his independence from God in the Garden and it is only in coming to Jesus that we surrender and ask for forgiveness, and finally can have lasting peace.

So should we pray for peace in all these areas of conflict? Absolutely. But with the wide-eyed knowledge that only in Jesus is found a lasting peace.  

Pressing on…

Ron Tipton, Senior Pastor