Peace on earth. It is a customary Christmas phrase but it’s not limited to Christmas. It’s a common hope for a New Year, the goal of political summits and even the often mocked answer of beauty pageant participants. At this time of year the phrase is seen all over the place and comes from the announcement of the Saviors birth in Luke 2:13-14. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” ^[i]

The phrase we see on all the cards, church signs, and wrapping paper is peace on earth good will to men. But it seems in typical fashion we take a few phrases we like from a larger statement and leave out the rest. This verse is no exception. If you read the angel’s announcement closely you will see the qualifying phrase, among those with whom he is pleased.

That begs a couple important question. First, who experiences God’s peace and goodwill?

In one sense, all humanity does. It is what theologians call common grace. There are certain blessings of God that are bestowed on all mankind. God gives rest and brings you through the night. God allows you to enjoy good food and friendships. You may have an enjoyable job and a nice house. None of these things are distinctly Christian yet they are made possible by God’s grace. Jesus Himself said the rain falls on the just and the unjust. (Matthew 7:25)

God has blessed the world with many good gifts. We have medical, technological, political, and business benefits that are not just for and from Christians. It does not take a Christian doctor to heal a body or a Christian politician to work for the good of his community. God has chosen to work through many different individuals and enabled them to do what they do by His goodness.

In the world of music I can enjoy the guitar skills of Al DiMeola and Joe Satriani as well as Phil Keaggy and Wes King. Sports, medicine, art, science and the such are all valuable disciplines we benefit from but they are not distinctly Christian. God is sovereign over all and has chosen to bless people through Christian and non-Christian individuals and organizations. James writes “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” ^[ii] Every good gift. Music, sports, T Bone steaks as well as penicillin, harvest time and smartphones.

So peace on earth and goodwill comes to men from God through many different means. But is that the whole of what the angels were announcing? Is that the peace God offers? The bigger picture is of a world that was plunged into darkness at the Fall. Sin had entered the world and created enmity between God and man. History since then has been a system of trying to reconcile that relationship. God Himself had issued methods where sacrifices were offered in place of and by the sinner to satisfy the debt sin created. These were all temporary measures until the fullness of time when God would send a perfect, once for all sacrifice. The result of this sacrifice of a perfect life of sinless obedience would be the restoring of the broken relationship, the gift of peace and God’s goodwill. And that is the second question. Who is God pleased with?

Is it people who follow the 10 Commandments or the golden rule? People who treat their neighbors nice and give money to the Red Cross? Good people? Religious people? What about good people who believe in a different God from the Biblical one, or with no religion or belief in God at all? Is God pleased with them?

In the grand picture, God sent His Son and this announcement to the world. What if someone refuses the gift? You realize you can follow most of the 10 commandments and the golden rule and still refuse to acknowledge Jesus Christ? Can God be pleased with you if you refuse the gift God has given to achieve that peace?

The Bible speaks of a peace that goes beyond the absence of conflict or unrest, a more lasting peace. A peace Paul says in Philippians that passes human understanding. Romans 5 says through faith in Jesus Christ we have peace with God. That is the highest peace. Paul also tells us in Romans 5 that man is not naturally at peace with God. We want it our way. We want to call the shots. We are self-sufficient, autonomous individuals who think we know better about what we need, want, and what is right. Yet the Bible tells us God created us and gave us all we needed and we rebelled and for that we are enemies of God. It is in that state of being weak sinners Christ died for us. In Christ we are reconciled, we are saved.

That is a lasting peace. A peace that says I can be at rest, regardless of my circumstances, regardless of who sits in the seat of human power, or whatever eyewitness news reports. I can be at peace with those who disagree with me over gun control and political parties and taxes. I can be at peace with those who hurt me.

The reason is, I am already at peace. I have a peace that was purchased for me and offered to me in Jesus Christ. A peace that does not stand or fall on my feelings, abilities or anything else. An offer to be in a restored relationship with the God revealed in Scripture.

There are many peace movements. And there have been few, short lived times when there was peace on earth. But history proves that peace on earth has not been accomplished in thousands of years of trying. We have tried with politics, armies, summits etc. The whole reason is we are all sinners trying to create peace on our terms.

The Scripture says this gift was called the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9) and one day peace will reign. But peace has to come on the terms of the one who is peace, who has defined peace as reconciliation with Himself. The one who has been offended and still took the first and every other move to establish peace between us and Himself.

Let there be peace on earth and let it begin in Christ (because if it has to begin with me it’s not in very good hands)

^[i] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2001). (Lk 2:13–14). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

^[ii] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2001). (Jas 1:17). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.