When the Civil War ended there was a great deal of hatred in America. Some feared the hatred would never end. However, time has a way of healing old wounds. In time, former General of the Union forces and former President of the United States Ulysses S. Grant (1822-1885) died. Four years later, former President of the Confederacy, Jefferson Davis (1808-1889) died. Their widows, Julia Grant (1826-1902) and Varina Davis (1826-1906) lived on and settled near each other. As fate would have it, they became close friends. They did something their husbands failed to do, they modeled peace for a new generation. This is the good news – Jesus came to offer us spiritual peace. That takes us to our reading.
Our reading is 2 Corinthians 5:18-20. The Apostle Paul wrote these words in the year 55 AD, which means he wrote them a year after he wrote First Corinthians. Much has been written about the vastness of the city of Corinth. It was both a political and commercial giant. It is impossible to overstate the diversity of Corinth. In our time, diversity often leads to conflict, yet that is not what Paul addresses. Instead, Paul talks about reconciliation. Webster defines reconciliation as the restoration of a friendly relation. 2 Corinthians 5:18 says, “All this is from God, who reconciled us to him through Christ.” He understood that Jesus brings three kinds of reconciliation. In this blog I want to examine each one.
The first kind of peace Christ offers is peace with God. It is a personal peace. Romans 5:1 says, “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” On the day I accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior I experienced one emotion – it wasn’t joy, it was relief. The battle was over. I was at peace with God, and I knew I was going to heaven when I died. My personal desires were replaced by living for God.
In 1555, English bishop Nicholas Ridley (1500-1555) was burned at the stake because of his witness for Christ. On the night before Ridley’s execution, his brother offered to remain with him in the prison chamber to be of assistance and comfort. Nicholas declined the offer and replied that he meant to go to bed early. He knew he was going to meet Jesus the next day because he was at peace with God. How did you sleep last night? Are you at peace with God? The war is over!
The second kind of peace Christ offers is the peace of God; it is a trusting peace. According to the Bible, the peace of God is a harmony of calmness of body, mind, and spirit that comes from trusting in the power of God. The Hebrew word for peace, “shalom,” embodies wholeness, completeness, and love. In the Christian context, it is associated with Philippians 4:6-7 which says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
In a few days, we will begin a new year. Our world is facing some massive challenges. The list is not small. There is climate change, global poverty, inequality, armed conflict, hunger, water security, lack of access to healthcare and education, and human rights issues. I find that list humbling. There is very little I can do to help any of these issues, but I have the peace of God. I believe God is all knowing and all powerful. I believe God will address these issues in his time. I live with the peace of God. Do you? The war is over!
The third kind of peace is peace with others. Not everyone was happy when poet Elizabeth Barrett (1806-1861) married Robert Browning (1812-1889) in 1846. Her father did not approve, so the marriage was performed in secret. After the wedding the Browning’s sailed for Italy, where they lived for the rest of their lives. But even though her parents had disowned her, Elizabeth never gave up on the relationship. Almost weekly she wrote them letters. Sadly, they never replied. After 10 years, she received a large box in the mail. Inside, Elizabeth found all her letters; not one had been opened! Today those letters are among the most beautiful in classical English literature. Had her parents only read a few of them, their relationship with Elizabeth might have been restored. How many people do you know who can relate to the Elizabeth Barrett Browning story? Can you relate to the Elizabeth Barrett Browning story?
For many people the Elizabeth Barrett Browning story is the story of Christmas. Is anyone in your life an expert at holding a grudge? They just can’t forget or move on? The event may have happened years ago, the details may have gotten fuzzy. At some
point the details stopped mattering. Only “the principle” mattered. Pride has set in and forged a wedge between the two parties. One party is always going to teach the other party a lesson. The truth is no one ever wins in those situations; no one ever learns a lesson. The only thing that really happens is opportunities are lost and loneliness wins. Both parties demonstrate their smallness. It takes a big person to initiate reconciliation.
Matthew 5:9 says, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they are called the children of God.” If you applied Jesus’ lessons to your relationships, then how many of your relationships would improve? Are you at peace with others?
This is the good news of Christmas. Our great big God has made the first move to resolve the conflict between Him and the world, but also the conflict between Him and you. Listen to what the choir of angels said in Luke 2:14, “Glory to God in the Highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” In other words, Jesus came to end the conflict between us and God. We hear it more clearly in Second Corinthians 5:19, “God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.” That is part of the Good News of Christmas. The war is over. Jesus came into the world to end the conflict with the world. The God of the universe wants to have a relationship with you!
Wouldn’t it be nice if you modeled peace for your world? Wouldn’t it be nice to settle the war that is waging in your heart? Jesus makes it possible. Wouldn’t it be nice to live at peace with God? Wouldn’t it be nice to live in peace with others? Jesus came to offer reconciliation. 2 Corinthians 5:18 says, “All this is from God, who reconciled us to him through Christ.” The war is over!
Russ Adams 