A young man wants justice when he is wronged. But since he is often powerless to do much about that which is inflicted upon him, he either takes his “wrath” out upon others or stores it up for another day. A wise friend will tell that young man that vengeance is the devil’s road map to misery. All bitter old men have this in common: They never did let the Prince of Peace rule in their hearts.
Christians long for peace, and it is in our spiritual DNA to work to keep it. For we know that the devil uses discord to break us apart. And once distrust and dislike take hold, churches are decimated.
In Isaiah’s beautiful prophecy about the coming of the Christ Child, he says,
“He will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).
Jesus rules the Kingdom in which the saved find peace with God. And it is those who are saved, with “feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace” (Ephesians 5:15), who march forward to fight the destructive forces of evil.
As we spread the gospel of peace, we can expect satanic opposition; the devil doesn’t give ground without a fight. In fact, he will attack you before you even speak. He will bring to mind all those things that irritate, and before you know it, you will be so drained of peace that you won’t have any left to share.
Peace is only found in the presence of our Sovereign. And praise God that we, as those who walk and pray in the Spirit, have twenty-four-hour access to the Throne of Grace. It is there that we find that peace which transcends all understanding; peace which is the fruit of thankful prayer (Philippians 4:6-7).
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful” (Colossians 3:15).
John Staiger (
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