“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!’”
Luke 2:14

The multitude of the heavenly host praised God by saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” Focusing on the second part of that theme, we learn that the coming of the Lord Jesus was not only for the glory of God but also for the good of mankind. The phrase “on earth peace, goodwill toward men” could be understood as, “on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased.” This is not suggesting that a person can please God through good works—Scripture makes it clear that salvation is not by works (Eph. 2:8–9). The peace the angels proclaimed is peace with God, which results from salvation.

Romans 5:1 says it plainly: “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Peter also spoke of this message: “the word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ—He is Lord of all” (Acts 10:36).

The possibility of this peace flows from the heart of a loving God who is “longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Pet. 3:9). The Lord Jesus took the chastisement that brought us peace upon Himself on the cross (Isa. 53:5), making it possible for us to be reconciled to God. This reconciliation comes through faith in His finished work. Paul writes, “For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life” (Rom. 5:10).

He further explains in 2 Corinthians 5:18–19: “Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.”

God is called the God of peace five times in the New Testament (Rom. 15:33; 16:20; Phil. 4:9; 1 Thess. 5:23; Heb. 13:20). The Lord Jesus promised His disciples, “My peace I give to you” (John 14:27). This peace comes through believing: “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Rom. 15:13).

Anchor For Today:
Peace with God — for Christ’s in glory,
God is just and God is love;
Oh! how blessed is the story,
That we’re brought to God above.
– Lord Adalbert Cecil