PEACE by W. N. Glenn

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Sep 9, 1897

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 23, No. 35.

PEACE.

By W. N. Glenn

"Acquaint now thyself with him [margin, "with God"], and be at peace; thereby good shall come unto thee." Job 22:21.

Various are the human devices for bringing about "conditions of peace." The governments of earth depend upon alliances one with another, upon treaties, upon the arts of diplomacy, and most of all upon preparations for war. The greater nations, in their dealings with acknowledged weaker ones, depend upon enforcing peace by means of their own strength, and the weaker governments are obliged to resort to a degree of subserviency in order to secure a modicum of peace. With individuals, the idea of peace with one another is that each may pursue his own way without interference from others. Where one's pursuit of happiness infringes upon the rights of others, he will seek his desire of peace by intimidation or deception.

But the idea of peace with God has been the subject of more deception and unhappiness than any other theme that ever has confronted the human race. The reason for this is that man, through the fall of Adam, became at enmity with God, and, with individual exceptions, has refused the conditions of peace offered by Him through whom alone peace can be effected. By the delusions of the great adversary of souls, men have been led to seek peace through all manner of idol worship, ancestor worship, creature worship, demon worship, self-torture, human legislation, etc., etc. All these ideas are based upon the delusion that the supreme deity, whatever he be, is offended with men, and they must, by some effort of their own, appease his anger.

Now while it is true that there can be no reconciliation between God and sin, he has presented a plan by which the sinner may be reconciled to him and be at peace. While it is true that "the wages of sin is death" (Rom. 6:23), it is also true that "God so loved the world, that he gave his only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16). And this is the fact with which man is to "acquaint" himself in order to be acquainted with God and be at peace. No man can become acquainted with God excepting through Christ, the only mediator whom God has provided; he will recognize no other. "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Rom. 5:1.

God has not only offered favorable terms of peace with his rebellious creatures, but he tells us how we may be kept in that happy condition. "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee; because he trusteth in thee." Isa. 26:3. We are not only told that the sinner is justified, or is made just, by faith in Jesus Christ, but that "the just shall live by his faith." Hab. 2:4. Now the Word of God is harmonious all the way through. Then to live by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is to follow his example, and this can be done only by abiding in him. See John 15:4-10. Again it is written, "He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked." 1 John 2:6. How did Christ walk?

Let him answer: "I have kept my father's commandments, and abide in his love." John 15:10. This very thing had been said of him through the prophet David: "Lo, I come; in the volume of the Book it is written of me, I delight to do thy will, O my God; yea, thy law is within my heart." Ps. 40:7, 8. But what has the law to do with peace?—Why, "great peace have they which love thy law; and nothing shall offend them." Ps. 119:165.

It was by transgressing the law of God that the peace between God and man was broken, for "sin is the transgression of the law." 1 John 3:4. And Christ, who came to earth and died in order to bring about a reconciliation, and who had the law in his heart, is called the "Prince of Peace." When John the Baptist was born, his father prophesied of him: "And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest; for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways; to give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins, through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us, to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace." Luke 1:76-79.

The birth of Christ was heralded by a multitude of angels singing, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good-will toward men." Chapter 2:14. On his triumphal ride into Jerusalem, his disciples sang, "Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord; peace in heaven, and glory in the highest!" Chapter 19:38. Thus is indicated the harmony between Heaven and earth brought about by the mediation of Christ,—the angels sing, "Peace on earth;" the disciples sing, "Peace in heaven."

While the opportunity for making peace is present, there is danger of its going by. This was the experience of ancient Jerusalem, the highly favored city of God, where he had planted his temple and established his name. "And when he [Jesus] was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes." Jerusalem was an example to the world, and especially to those who profess to be the people of God.

The rulers of the Jews thought to secure peace by putting to death the Prince of Peace. After the resurrection of Lazarus, they met in council and consulted in regard to what should be done, saying, "If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him; and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation." But that is just the way with all who refuse to believe in Christ, as well as with all professed believers who would set aside the law of God, the violation of which has broken the peace between God and the human race. Instead of desiring or seeking "conditions of peace" (Luke 14:32) from Him who alone has the power to make such conditions, they set about devising ways of their own. Of such the prophet Jeremiah says: "They have healed the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace. . . . In the time of their visitation they shall be cast down, saith the Lord." Jer. 8:11, 12.

How then shall we find peace with God?—As before stated, "being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Rom. 5:1. "The kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." Chapter 14:17. "Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace" (verse 19) and "seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness" (Matt. 6:33); for "the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace" (James 3:18). On such the Lord has pronounced this special benediction: "Blessed are the peace-makers; for they shall be called the children of God." Matt. 5:9.