Peace and Goodwill This Season

“Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace,
Good will toward men!”

The anthem and declaration by an angelic heavenly host is found in Luke 2.14. I wanted to take this time to think about peace on earth. This past Sunday, November 27th, was the first Sunday of Advent. Advent is the beginning of the ancient Christian calendar year. Advent observation simply helps Christians prepare their hearts for remembering the significance of Christ’s first coming. At Christ’s first coming his purpose included peace and reconciliation between God and humanity.

There are some textual variants and interpretative differences with this specific text (Luke 2.14). Some translations, like the New American Bible Standard, read “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased;” this is sounds much more different than “on earth peace, Good will toward men.” I think the point is that God is working through Christ to make peace between God and repented sinners seeking his grace. God favors those who turn toward him and seek him by faith (Hebrews 11.6).

God, nevertheless, is also interested in peacemaking among all humans on earth. Jesus admonished, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” The preacher and writer of the book of Hebrews encouraged, “Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.” Paul reasoned, “If [since is the meaning here] it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.”

As Baptist we trace our roots back to Smith and Helwys in England (15th century). There is also a branch in our Baptist roots in Europe that goes back to the Anabatpist historic movement. Anabaptists were known not only as those who baptized only adult believers, but also Anabaptists were known as “The Peace Churches.” It was commonplace for such believers to be conscientious objectors to all military and war pursuits.

Today, as a whole, our Baptist distinctive views include the virtue of pursuing peace. The Baptist Faith and Message (1963 version) appeals, “It is the duty of Christians to seek peace with all men on principles of righteousness . . . they should do all in their power to put an end to war. The true remedy for the war spirit is the gospel of our Lord . . . (Article XVI)

So then family of faith, in the midst of political, national, family, and church wars what does advent and Christmas remind us of this season? Is Christmas about sinners and God reconciled? Yes it is. Is Christmas about Christians striving for peace in this world? I believe that Christmas and the Christina life is about peacemaking with God and among all humanity. Remember the anthem of the heavenly host this advent and Christmas season: “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, Good will toward men!”

There will be no peace without peacemakers. There will never be unity without unifiers.

Interesting qoute that meets me at my chief struggle with this topic: "If you knew what a mean son of a gun I am, you'd realize why I need to be a pacifist." (a Famous pacifist qouted by Brian McLaren in- A Generous Orthodoxy)

In Pursuit of Christlikeness,
Pastor Christopher Breedlove

We are Blessed to Bless Others

Oh how I enjoy Thanksgiving! Turkey, cranberry sauce, and the Dallas Cowboys (and yes my family)!

Phil Risley did a great job Sunday night preaching and teaching on thankfulness. He talked about how the majority of the world faces hardship and how many Americans (most of us) are tremendously blessed. I’ve often talked about how the majority of the world is impoverished and that the majority of Christians in the world are persecuted. Phil’s specific source pointed out some telling numbers. For example, more than 3 billion people suffer religious persecution; 75% of the world struggle to have food, clothes, shelter, and a place to sleep; and “if you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish some place, then you’re among the top 8% of the world’s wealthy.” I tried to find the original source, but found not one but many sources that had the same information; this was one source that said the same thing, click here to read it while it might not be totally accurate, it’s probably as close to reality as one could estimate.

When I think of how many people worldwide suffer and go without I do count myself as being blessed and fortunate. There is a tension, however, in my spirit with realizing my blessings. I almost feel guilty for somehow being spared and/or blessed. Why do I have such a blessed life, when so many innocently suffer? Why do I have riches (so to speak) when many more in the world are poor? My feeling is something like survivor’s guilt; like when someone survives a devastation or accident where others lost their lives.

I don’t think such guilt comes from the Lord, but I do believe that God convicts Christians to share what they do have with the many more who do not have.

I think growing up into the image of Christ means learning how to become poor for the sake and benefit of others.

We’re most like Christ when we sacrificially give to others with no thought of return or repayment.

Jesus is coming back to check out how we are taking care of his creation, people, and world . . . We should remember, “for unto whomsoever much is given, of him much shall be much required.”

Looking For a Book to Read?

A book Baptists should read. It’s on my Christmas want list.