In his own words (part 19)
The fourth peace I seek from Jesus is being able to contribute in some real way to world peace. But will he do that for us too?
Well, according to John 14:13, Jesus said, “I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father.” So does it bring glory to his Father answering our request for the chance to contribute to world peace?
Well, of course it does, because world peace is what the Father sent Jesus to this planet for. And in two steps: first of all, by Jesus modelling peace in his own life, and secondly, by living his peace in his disciples. And that way the great promise in Isaiah 9:7 – “Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end” – has been set in motion.
Jesus also said, “God blesses those who work for peace, for they are truly his children,” Matthew 5:9. So the Father is jolly pleased with those – like Jesus his Son – who’ve joined the family business and want to model peace too. And the Father shows how pleased he is with us wanting to do that, by also answering our requests (John 15:16).
So we’ve got all the help we need from both Father and Son to model their world in our world. And in our world modelling peace really stands out “because,” John 16:3, “people have not known the Father or me.”
How unfortunate for people, then, that they have no idea what it’s like to be at peace with God. Instead, they’re stuck with conscience and the ever-present tension of not quite knowing if God exists, or what to expect from him if he does. And fear-based religion has only added to that tension too, by presenting God as threatening and punishing, rather than “reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them,” 2 Corinthians 5:19.
What can be seen in Jesus’ disciples, then, is that instead of fearing what a dreadful God might do, they “approach God with freedom and confidence,” Ephesians 3:12. And what a contribution to world peace that is, because isn’t that where peace begins? It’s knowing God loves us, and that he’s more than willing to help us…(continues Wednesday)
Buck To Basics 