PEACE THROUGH CHRIST

While the word ‘peace’ has the connotation of absence of hostilities in the English language, in Biblical terms, ‘peace’, derived from the Hebrew ‘salom’ refers to a state of being which is complete, stable, healthy, harmonious and prosperous.

A cursory study of the solar system reveals a completely harmonious and precise system that is so miraculously stable that it is easier to believe that God created it rather than believe in the theory of evolution (even evolution is a theory with multiple gaps that needs to be believed for lack of adequate proof). The sun as a star is pretty well-behaved without the usual wild flares of other stars, that would have left all life on earth cooked. The earth is neither too far nor too close to the sun leaving us with temperatures that sustain life. The size of the earth is neither too big, nor too small, leaving us with just enough gravity to keep us all earthbound and healthy. The moon is so unusually big for the tiny earth that it could not have been captured by the earth like other moons. The moon in turn with its gravity slows down the rotation of the earth so that we are not exposed to 500mph winds. Jupiter, the big gaseous planet is the reason that multiple meteors and cosmic debris don’t reach the earth and it also has a role is keep the earth at the right distance from the sun. There are several other details of harmony in the solar system that amaze us.

Inner peace is a state of being that does not come naturally to man, yet can be attained through Christ and his blood that was shed on the cross. Paul writes in Ephesians 2:14-18;

For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 

 Paul talks of three aspects of peace in this passage,

1. Jesus makes peace (Peace with God)

Man is born with a sinful nature that naturally rebels against God. There is no appropriate propitiation for our sins but the blood shed on the cross by Jesus, when he died for the sins of mankind. It is when man believes in this sacrifice that peace with God is made possible. It is much like the earth finding the right orbit around the sun, rather than being an aimless object drifting though space, unable to sustain life.

2. Jesus is our peace (Peace with self)

Once peace with God is made possible, man finds it possible to find the equilibrium and stability in his life. He is able to find satisfaction with himself, accept the way God has created him and use his unique talents and gifts for the good of one and all. Far too many lives are wasted away because man finds it hard to accept himself, ends up living the dreams of others and attempts to emulate the idols who appear to have it all. The earth is not the biggest planet, nor does it have the most moons, nor is it closest to the sun, but with its unique properties of rotation, presence of water and a thin atmosphere all contribute to the possibility of life on earth. Peace with self is much like that- being able to recognize who you are, finding the grace to accept that and making it count.

3. Jesus preaches peace (Peace with others)

The next step is to find peace with others. It is an absence of malice and enmity with those around you. The nature of Christ within enables a disciple to accomplish that state of being. Peace with others does not necessarily mean absence of conflict. The WW2 was finally brought to an end with the dropping of an atomic bomb, because the powers that ruled felt that more lives would have been lost had that drastic step not been taken. The harmony of the earth within the solar system also involves a harmony with the moon and other planets. Maintaining this harmony also involves a violent burning up of the asteroids that wander into the earth’s atmosphere from time to time. Having the wisdom to deal with others around you with both discipline and compassion is also a God given faculty that completes the multi-faceted peace that comes home to one who has espoused Christ.

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