Dec

19

President and Peace On Earth - Through Arms

December 19, 2005 |

We trust, with them, in a love that conquers all fear, in a light that reaches the darkest corners of the Earth. And we remember the words of the Christmas carol, written during the Civil War: “God is not dead, nor [does] He sleep; the Wrong shall fail, the Right prevail, with peace on Earth, goodwill to men.”

The President gave an excellent speech. It reminded us that the world is filled with those who choose to make war until dispatched and rendered harmless. In the closing lines of his speech he said:

We pray for the safety and strength of our troops. We trust, with them, in a love that conquers all fear, and a light that reaches the darkest corners of the Earth. And we remember the words of the Christmas carol, written during the Civil War: ‘God is not dead, nor [does] He sleep; the Wrong shall fail, the Right prevail, with peace on Earth, good-will to men.’

The phrase “peace on earth, good-will to men” is perhaps one of the most misquoted or at least under-quoted passages. The complete quote comes from the Bible and is as follows:

???Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.??? Luke 2:14

Peace to those on whom His favor rests implies that someone is seeking divine favor. It has been speculated that an age of peace would be ushered in and that those who helped would be called the blessed peacemakers.” Yet there is never peace as the world has understood it. Peace treaties are signed and broken even before the ink dries. It is seen in the ‘Christian’ peace movement which falsely believes that if we do nothing then evil men will no longer continue their evil acts.

What kind of peace did Christ come to bring? Contrast the above verse with the following verse:

Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. - Luke 12:51

In the President’s speech we see his understanding force is often necessary to bring about peace when he quoted a song from the civil war period. The key verses are as follows:

“‘There is not peace on earth,’ I said
‘For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men”

and

“Then pealed the bells more loud and deep
‘God is not dead, nor doth He sleep,
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail
With peace on earth, good will to men.’”

The peace that Christ promised was one that was not like the world expects or defines as peace.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. - John 14:27

It is a peace that transcends understanding and allows one to remain steadfast in the midst of conflict; serenity in the face of great opposition and criticism. It is a peace that allows one the serenity to over look somethings and the strength to do battle for the benefit of many. One day the Prince of peace will come. In the meantime we anticipate that coming and rely upon good men to oppose violent men so that others can enjoy living their lives in a relative peace.

For he is God???s servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God???s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. - Rom. 13:4

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