Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Breaking it down:
- The Angel who made the Birth announcement was joined by a “multitude” of angels. Vs 13
- The entire ‘multitude’ was praising GOD and saying:
- “Glory to GOD… [Means they were testifying as to GOD’s Goodness]
- “…in the highest…” Which would be Heaven.
- “…on earth peace,…” Specifically the Messiah’s peace – the way that leads to peace (Salvation)
- “…good will toward men.” ß GOD’s good will was being sent forth to bring this ‘peace’ to people on earth.
Above is the blessed birth announcement of the Lord Jesus. The
time had come when GOD in heaven would turn his attention to earth and to
mankind [humans] and provide rest from their anxiety/stress in their day to day
concerns. The Angel of GOD dispatched the shepherds to an infant wrapped in
swaddling clothes lying in a manger. This infant would be the ONE who would
bring a ‘way’ to peace that would be a Messianic peace. [“Jesus answered: “I am the way and the truth and
the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6]
What is the blessing of Messianic peace?
“Do not be anxious
about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with
thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God,
which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds
in Christ Jesus.” – Phil 4:6-7
Peace here: “of Christianity, the tranquil state of a soul assured
of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from GOD and content
with its earthly lot, of whatsoever sort that is.” – Strong’s Outline of Biblical Usage.
If you have accepted the salvation of our LORD Jesus, do you
fear nothing from GOD? Are you content with your earthly lot, whatsoever sort
that is? These questions may be rhetorical but provocative. They should be
asked and answered. If you cannot answer them in the affirmative and with
conviction do you understand the birth announcement from the Angel? Do you understand
the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus? Do you understand water baptism?
Please consider too the simplicity of the words of the Apostle of Love, John.
He writes: “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear:
because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.” 1John
4:18 – KJV
“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because
fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.”
– NIV
The ‘fear’ here referenced is ‘terror, dread’. While ‘perfect
in love’ means ‘complete’.
Please read and contemplate the 4th chapter of 1
John. Much to be learned and real peace to be had by reading with the help of
the Holy Spirit. Vs 19 says “We love him, because he first loved us.” A simple
yet profound statement that brings the chapter and the preceding verse to a
rest in our minds, spirit and heart. There is no room for fear if you love and
are loved by GOD.
Something to contemplate
There are people, and perhaps you have been blessed to meet
them, who seem to be unflappable. No matter the crisis, the hardships, the day
to day frustrations, they seem ‘serene’ by nature. If you have met them you
know they feel somewhat ‘safe’ to be around because their serenity influences
their whole world and includes those with whom they interact. That ‘serenity’
is the calm, PEACEful, tranquil soul and spirit completed by the ‘love that is
without fear’ or more to the point, is based on ‘Messianic peace’ through
salvation.
Know Messianic Peace and you will be ‘rested in peace’ in
your life now. You do not need to wait
for death to ‘R.I.P.’
©Lightwritingmatters 2015
