Luke 2:14
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth Peace, good will toward men.
#Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 2107
Good Will: good pleasure, favor of God
From the Greek word 'eudokia' (pronounced yoo-dok-ee'-ah). God's good favor, good pleasure, good will, "requires something is done through His work of inbirthing faith."
GOOD WILL OF GOD
(cf) 2 Thessalonians 1:11, 12
11. Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:
12. that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
On whom is this good will of God endowed? All people everywhere:
-To all nations (Malachi 1:11; John 3:16).
-To all nationalities (Romans 10:12)
-To the people whose God is The Lord (Psalm 144:15)
-To those who walk in the Light of His presence (Psalm 4:6, 89:15)
-To those living in darkness and shadow (Matthew 4:6)
-To you (Romans 10:11, 13)
-To me (Psalm 23:1, 27:1)
PEACE ON EARTH
Was Christ sent to bring Peace on Earth? No. His very coming was to BE Peace on Earth. Peace between God and the people whom God chose to be His people. Not bloodline descendants of Abraham, but seedline inheritors of Abraham, sons and daughters of righteousness.
People who see God as an enemy are not God's people. People who deny God's existence are not God's people. People who enjoy chaos, death and destruction are not God's people. People who choose to remain in darkness and shut out the Light of God's Love and Peace are not God's people. And while there is still time for many of them, their time is running out to turn to God.
Jesus Himself said He did not come to bring peace at this time, but that His existence would bring enmity: hate, anger, death and separation of families, of friends, of worship places. (Matthew 10:34-36; Luke 12:51; Micah 7:1-6).
Jesus IS PEACE, but His reason for coming to earth divides, and He divides with a Sword: the gospel of salvation through Him, through His atoning work on the cross Christ Is Peace for everyone who believes on His Name.
Jesus has Peace for us (John 14:27) that is permanent. The world cries out for "Peace, Peace!" but there is no peace to be found, for that peace is fleeting. Peace which the world hungers for is only found in Jesus Christ. Peace of mind is having the mind of Christ in us (1 Corinthians 2:16).
Peace between nations and cultures is not possible. Tolerance is not peace. Cooperation in providing fundamental necessities of life is not peace. Nations are not united if all nations do not base their standard of living on The Word of God. Without God's Peace there is no peace.
God's PEACE on Earth is His only begotten Son, The Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6, 7).
*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 1515
Peace: one, quietness, rest
From the Greek word 'eiréné' (pronounced i-ray'-nay), to join together as a whole, wholeness through God's peace.
Do you have this Peace? I do. Has it separated me from my family? Yes. Do I have Peace of mind? Yes. Can you suffer from anxiety and still have Peace? Yes, because I have 'the peace that passes understanding' (Philippians 4:7) but still get anxious in crowds and noise. Do I still have the Peace of God in me? Absolutely; because I have Christ living in me and He Is My Peace (THE LORD MY PEACE [Romans 8:31-39; Ephesians 2:14]) Know God, Know Peace. No God, No Peace.
Can you fear and have Peace of mind? Only if our fear is 'the fear of the Lord' (Proverbs 9:10). All other fears must leave. Fear that separates us from God's Peace needs to vacate the premises.
With this knowledge in mind we all the more sing Glory to God in the Highest! As the angels sang of this wondrous Peace and Favor of God to usward, let us also raise our voices in praise to God.
ANGELS WE HAVE HEARD ON HIGH by Third Day
NOEL by Chris Tomlin/Lauren Daigle
PEACE ON EARTH by Austin French
EMMANUEL by Hannah Kerr
HERE TO STAY by Hannah Kerr/Cochren & Co.
