Rev. Zecharias Abraham (MDiv ‘15)
Senior Pastor, Redeemer Presbyterian Church (OPC)
Doraville, Georgia
Isaiah 9:6 – Unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Through the prophet Isaiah, God said that there is no peace for the wicked (Isaiah 48:22; 57:21). Some people might respond by saying, “But I am not a wicked person! I am a nice person – I do good things to people.”
But it is a fact that doing good cannot grant us peace. Well-doing cannot cure our sin problem described in Isaiah 64:6, We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. Paul likewise testified to this universal human problem in Romans 3:23, For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
We lack true peace in this life because our sin separates us from God. A perfectly holy God must hide His face from our sin. Yet, men seek for peace in this world, and they meet with failure at every turn. Some look for it in wealth, some in fame, some in earthly success, some in politics, and many in their own good deeds. But again, both Scripture and daily experience show us that true and lasting peace cannot be obtained through these things.
The peace that we need is found only in God our Creator and Redeemer. When we come to God’s Word seeking for peace, we find the God of the Bible to be the Source and Giver of all that the restless sinner needs. We find the answer to our need in the glad tidings of Luke 2:10-11, Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people, For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, Who is Christ the Lord.
Do you remember the response of the host of heaven to this great news? It was this: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth PEACE among those with whom He is pleased.
Your only source and ground for true and lasting spiritual peace is Jesus Christ the Son of God, Who was born in a manger in Bethlehem to reconcile wretched sinners to our holy and perfect God. Romans 5:1 reads, Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have PEACE with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Remember the greatest gift that God gave you and your children was not Santa or any of the gifts that you will buy from stores this year. It was Christ your righteousness and peace.
Our reason for the season is God’s greatest gift for you – Christ the prince of PEACE! Ω
