Why is There No Peace on Earth?

by Barbara Latta

Why is there no peace on earth?

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace goodwill toward men (Luke 2:14 KJV).

When Jesus was born, angels appeared to shepherds in the fields with their sheep. Heavenly beings proclaimed this good news and gave glory to God. The announcement in the verse above is printed on Christmas cards, letters, signs and church bulletins.

Messages are shared about peace on earth.

Yet the world has been at war since the beginning of time. If the angels shared this news, why is there no peace on earth?

The angels were not declaring that political peace would reign. The grand news from heaven was that when the Savior is born, the enmity between God and man would be over.

No more spiritual distance.

No more war within man’s soul.

No more domination from the devil.

The peace the angels shouted about was peace that would now be available in men’s hearts. Until the birth of the Savior, people couldn’t be born again. They had to use a temporary sacrifice to cover their sin, but the blood of an animal didn’t have the power to take sin away. There was a war between God and man because of mankind’s fallen state.

Jesus himself said that he did not come to bring peace, but a sword.

Jesus did not come to bring peace but a sword.

Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword (Matthew 10:34 NKJV).

Following God’s Son is costly. The sword of discipleship cuts between believers and unbelievers.

When Adam and Eve fell into sin fear, shame, guilt, rejection and confusion entered their souls. There is no peace in a person’s heart when sin reigns. Humans have tried for centuries to compensate for the lack of peace by using drugs, alcohol, rebellion, control, and failed relationships.

Yet peace evades them because the only cure is the peace God gives through Christ.

For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity (Ephesians 2: 14-16).

The devil tempts us to doubt God the way Adam and Eve did. When we give in to that temptation, peace evades us. Without peace, confusion can cause us to make wrong decisions. God’s peace is the confirmation that we are following His will.

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts to which also you were called in one body and be thankful (Colossians 3:15).

May the Prince of Peace calm your soul.

Why is there no peace on earth? Because there is no peace in everyone’s heart. Hate, anger and strife cause dissensions, divisions and war. There would be peace on this planet if every person would accept Christ. When man’s soul is at peace with God, the striving will end. But a peaceful planet will not happen until Jesus reigns on the earth.

If you do not have peace in your heart, the best gift you can give yourself this Christmas is to let the Prince of Peace calm your soul.

May you have a very Merry and Peaceful Christmas!

Join the conversation and share your thoughts. How has God given you peace?

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