The Contingency of Peace

Luke‬ ‭2‬:‭14,‬ ‭NLT

“Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” 

I know this seems like an odd post for the Christmas season at first glance, but goodness gracious God has had this one burning in my heart. When I read this verse recently, I noticed something I had never noticed before—the angels said peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased. 

Wow. 

The peace of God has a contingency—it’s only for those with whom God is pleased. 

The author of Hebrews gives us a short answer as to what pleases God when he says, “without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6). 

Without faith it is impossible to please God. 

So those with whom God is pleased are those who have put their faith in him. Or we could say it like this:

faith in God begets peace.

When we put our faith in God, then we have access to his peace. No contingencies. The Prince of peace (Isaiah 9:6) came from the God of peace (Hebrews 13:20) to bring us the peace of God (Philippians 4:7) right here on earth. It's the gift of Christmas. 

It’s a supernatural peace. It’s the kind of peace that surpasses understanding and guards our heart and mind (Philippians 4:7). It's a peace which has nothing to do with what’s going on around us because it lives within us. It’s no longer about “my peace” (i.e. this situation is stealing “my” peace), it’s about God’s peace. Nothing can steal the peace of God from us. Jesus said,

“Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

The peace of God brings us peace with God the moment we put our faith in him at salvation. Then, every day after that, we have a choice to make—and when we choose faith, we choose peace. 

But, here’s the flip side—if we can choose faith and peace, then we can also not choose faith and peace. In the verse above, Jesus said, “let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” This means that we can live our whole lives with access to the supernatural peace of God without ever even accessing it. Basically, we can leave the gift unwrapped.

Oh, sweet child of God, I say that with so much love. I know what it’s like to walk through hard things. I’ve watched people I love dearly walk through hard things. I’ve seen hard things in the work God has called me to do. But this is why I’m so passionate about the peace of God—because I’ve experienced this peace right in the middle of pain. I’ve watched those I love experience this peace right in the middle of pain. And It’s one of the most amazing things to experience on this side of Heaven.

Paul said, 

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

The meaning of both the Hebrew and Greek words for peace is astounding—they mean “wholeness.” Wholeness as opposed to brokenness. Wholeness as opposed to anxiety.  

The Greek word translated anxiety means “a part as opposed to a whole,” “divided into parts,” “to go to pieces because pulled apart (in different directions).” 

Sounds about right, doesn’t it?!

So, literally speaking, the peace of God is the exact opposite of anxiety.  

When we take the things that have us feeling pulled apart to the feet of Jesus in prayer—with thanksgiving—the Prince of peace meets us there with the peace of God. The wholeness of God.

The peace of God is a wholeness of the soul. It is activated through faith. It was brought to earth as a gift through the Prince of peace and given to those with whom God is pleased. It's the peace of God on earth—the gift of Christmas. 

Oh Lord, thank you for Jesus! Thank you for the gift of your peace. Please help us to remember that faith begets peace, and help us not to leave that gift unwrapped. Teach us how to unwrap it today and every day. Amen.