January 21
Discord and strife are at an all-time level. As of this writing, there are 34 major military conflicts going on around the world and there are countless rebellions and acts of terrorism. We live in a world, among a people, who are quite bellicose by nature. Our ability to get along with one another is challenged on virtually every hand.
How can it be that the Prince of Peace has come, yet there is continual conflagration among the people He came to endue with His “…peace that passes understanding”? (Philippians 4:7) The answer to that seeming failure of the Lord to accomplish His purpose in errant mankind lies in the heart of every man.
Indeed, anyone who has received Jesus as Savior and Lord has within himself the capacity to live the life of peace that Jesus came to supply to all who will receive it; however, just as He does not require any among us to receive Him as Savior, neither does He coerce anyone into receiving Him as Lord. Though He "stand at the door" of every heart, intending to enter with salvation and all its gifts, He will not "come in" without an invitation (Revelation 3:20).
Without the commitment of oneself to Him, no man can manifest the attributes of love or joy or faith—or peace—that He came to give. But if he will receive Jesus as Savior and Lord, any man may then reap the promise of Proverbs 16:7, “When a man’s ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.” Let us then invite the Prince of Peace into our hearts, our families, our nations so His peace may reign.
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