Bible Ballistics: The Prince of Peace? December 22, 2013 Vol. 3 No. 6

 ***NOTE—we will begin our “Q & A” articles next week.  I already have several questions that have been submitted, but please feel free to submit your questions via email, facebook message, or blog message and we will answer questions at least once a month, on the last Sunday of the month.***

This week we look at the last of our names of Jesus in Isaiah 9:6, ‘Prince of Peace’.

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” 

Probably the most recognized of the names in this verse, I think the “Prince of Peace” is often the most misunderstood.  I say that because many use this name to advocate political “pacifism”, but I think this refers to something far greater.  Yes, it tells us here that the “government shall be upon His shoulders”, and when Jesus takes HIS earthly throne, there won’t be any wars under His reign.  But, I think we can find a different intent of this name.

Romans 5:1-2, “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”

Here we see that we are justified (made right with God) by faith in Jesus, and being justified ‘by” Him, we have “peace with God through our Lord Jesus Chrsit“.  So much more than freedom from political conflict, this “peace” means we have received a right standing with God.  We have been made “SONS” (and daughters) of God,

John 1:12, “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.”

Now, going back to Romans 5, we see how much we need this “Peace” with God, and why.  Romans 5:6,8 & 10-11 are so clear,

“6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly….8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us…10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. 11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the  atonement.”

WOW!!!

We were:

without strength

              ungodly

sinners

enemies of God

the reason that Jesus died

reconciled by Jesus death (made different, not enemies any more)

lost-but now saved by His life

in need of atonement (He paid our sin debt).

WOW!!!  All this because

“…God so loved the world that HE gave…..”  (see John 3:16)

He gave/sent Jesus to restore us to ‘sonship’.  Not to simply alleviate our conflicts.

Colossians 1:12-14 says, “Giving thanks unto the Father, which had made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son; 14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:”

Jesus sacrifice not only paid for my sins,

but brought forgiveness to me and  for me before God.

Gave me an inheritance in light—

God’s light forever

within and ahead for us.

He has delivered us from the ‘power of darkness’—and ‘translated us into” His kingdom.  If you would, He has changed my nationality, my language and my mindset.  We are  “strangers and pilgrims on the earth.” (see Hebrews 11:13).  We have our minds on heaven and glory is our future in Jesus.

That is ‘PEACE WITH GOD’—

regardless of the conflicts or wars going on around us here on this earth.

I have this “PEACE” no matter my circumstances.

As the angels proclaimed on that night of His birth,

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” 

Oh, dear one, GLORY, GLORY, GLORY!!!  How we ought to praise our God for His most marvelous gift of all gifts.

JESUS—

THE WONDERFUL COUNSELOR—

THE MIGHTY GOD—

THE EVERLASTING FATHER—

THE PRINCE OF PEACE.

Our ‘peace with God’—

bought at Calvary.

Worship this newborn KING—

born to die for ME.

For YOU.

Merry Christmas.

Glory to the newborn King.

HE is my ‘Prince of Peace’.

Do you know Him?

If not seek Him today.

He is still calling for you.