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We live in troubled times. Bombs rain from the sky, fighting erupts in many countries, germs are prepared to eliminate nations, economies collapse, and hunger, fear and despair prevail. Many have lost hope for peace and harmony. Christ warned us about the future: ”You will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass…” (Matthew 24:6). In the book of Revelation we read that peace was taken away from the earth (Revelation 6:4). Also, 2,700 years ago, God declared through his prophet Isaiah, " ‘There is no peace,’ says the Lord, ‘for the wicked’ ” (Isaiah 48:22; 57:21).
Many folk think that they are better than others, because they live a decent moral life. They may be better educated and more successful than the majority around them. Others think that their good deeds cancel their bad deeds so that the scale will weighted in their favor on the Day of Judgment. How wrong they are! When we compare ourselves with God, we fall incredibly short. Whoever measures himself with God’s perfection and holy mercy will appear selfish and proud before him. With whom are you comparing yourself? Many break the commandments of God in our day, because we have gotten used to sin. ”Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” (Genesis 6:5). The prophet David cried, ”They have all turned aside, they have together become corrupt; there is none who does good, no, not one” (Psalm 14:3; Romans 3:10-12). Today many practise evil in public, without shame, shyness or repentance. Our world has become like Sodom and Gomorrah and we are part of it! We tolerate sin and know that the wrath of God will befall us all. ”God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6)
The Merciful Lord revealed to the prophet Isaiah a secret that a unique child would be born. He will be a wonderful Counselor and the Prince of Peace. There would be no end to his spiritual kingdom (Isaiah 9:6-7). When the Son of Mary was born in Bethlehem, the angels rejoiced and sang joyfully: ”Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, on whom his favor rests!” (Luke 2:14) In spite of this grand offer, few open themselves to God’s peace and are experience his wonderful mercy. Yet, God’s eternal peace settles on everyone who accepts his promise and believes in him. When Christ rose from the dead, he appeared to his frightened disciples and reassured them saying, ”Peace belongs to you”. (John 20:19, 21, 26) By this salutation, the Son of Mary offered them everlasting peace, the peace with God that he has won by his atonement, according to the gracious prophecy:
Christ reconciled us with God through his costly substitution, and purchased God’s peace and his favor for us. The Son of Mary does not force you to accept his spiritual peace, nor would he impose it on you; but he displays his peace before you that you may choose and receive it willingly and accept that privilege with praise and thankfulness.
Christ encouraged his followers saying,
The Prince of Peace offers his spiritual peace, which rests in himself, to everyone who trusts his word. He who receives the spirit of peace will be changed and turned into a ”son of peace”, or a ”daughter of peace”. The apostle Paul confirmed this genuine secret in his own experiences when he stated,
Multitudes of seekers have actually received the spirit of peace now dwelling in their hearts. We encourage you to ask God to fulfill his promise in you, on the strength of Christ's atonement. He offers his peace to whoever trusts his claims and receives his promised gift. The spirit of peace will effect in you the cleansing of your mind and heart from all lies and impurities. He assures you that all your sins are forgiven on account of Christ’s atonement. This blessed spirit, who then dwells in you for your reconciliation with God through Christ, creates and establishes that eternal peace.
The Holy Spirit develops, in the followers of Christ, pure love, divine joy, eternal peace, patient kindness, longsuffering, goodness, faithfulness and gentleness with self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). Don’t you think that your heart longs to enjoy such qualities? That pure spiritual life is your wish and the hidden desire that you are searching for. The God of peace wants to change you into a source of his peace in the midst of your rotten surroundings. He who receives divine peace can pass it on to others. He who obtains forgiveness of his sins can also forgive those who sin against him. Christ is willing to spread his peace into your family, school and working place. Do not be self-centered or proud about your spiritual service, for the Son of Mary makes you humble and meek just as he was when he lived among us. Christ served the righteous and the vile. He who follows in his footsteps does not become haughty, but remains a servant as Christ was to everybody. The apostle Paul gives the Lord’s blessing to you personally, as long as you serve the Lord with gladness:
Do you want to receive the peace of God? If you write to us, we shall send you the Gospel of Christ together with meditations and prayers, which can help you to stay firm in the peace of God. Spread the good news of peace with God, in your surroundings Christ closed his teachings with the following message of comfort:
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