March 20th, 2023
by Steve Marshall
by Steve Marshall
December 24, 2021
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 among those with whom He is pleased!” This hymn of praise was so great that not just one angel but an heavenly army of angels sang it to the shepherds out in the fields that one December night that the Savior, Jesus Christ, Emmanuel, came to earth. This was a big deal!
Why were the army of angels so excited to sing this song? The song begins, "Glory to God in the highest!" The angels are declaring that the highest degree of glory of God has come — by the appearing of His Son Jesus Christ in the world. The angels had been waiting for this day as it had been planned in eternity and it had finally arrived. The Son of God would come to earth to save us from our sins. Only God can forgive sins against God and so the Son of God was sent, the Savior put on flesh and was given complete authority to forgive sins. So, glory to God in the highest! We have a loving God - Savior to save us from our sins to bring us into a perfect relationship with Him for eternity! This is Glory in the highest!
There are more glorious promises in the next phrase, "peace among those with whom He is pleased!" How do we experience the highest Glory of God in Jesus Christ? Through the Peace that the peacemaker Jesus Christ brings to earth. God’s purpose in Jesus Christ is to give you peace with God and with others. Our faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God and our sacrifice for sins declares us righteous and establishes us as at peace with God (Romans 5:1). God’s peace that He gives us in Christ sets aside all of His anger that He had toward us because of our sin. We are no longer in rebellion with God and therefore we are free from any fear of Him being angry with us. This is Glory in the Highest!
When God declares us at peace with Himself we are then to let that peace impact all of other relationships as well. We are to be peacemakers. "Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called sons of God" (Matthew 5:9). Jesus has come to bring peace in all of our relationships, starting with the relationship with yourself. Let go of every form of hopelessness, guilt, anxieties and worries – you have been declared righteous and at peace with your Creator God. He has got this and His purposes will always prevail.
What about every other relationship in your life? Does Jesus desire peace in those relationships too? Well, yes, as far as you are concerned strive for peace in all relationships. Yes, even that one. The Bible tells us, “if possible, so far as it depends upon you, live peaceably with all” (Romans 12:18). How do you do that when disgruntled family arrives? Start with remembering that a Holy God has declared Himself at peace with you, a sinner. Be astonished, stunned, dumbfounded at this declaration of our Creator God – “I am at peace with you in Jesus Christ!” We do not deserve this peace. And that astonishment of grace will empower you to be a peacemaker in all of your relationships even when that same peace is not reciprocated back to you. This also is glory in the highest.
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased!”
Have a Glorious and Peaceful Christmas in Jesus Christ, Steve
Why were the army of angels so excited to sing this song? The song begins, "Glory to God in the highest!" The angels are declaring that the highest degree of glory of God has come — by the appearing of His Son Jesus Christ in the world. The angels had been waiting for this day as it had been planned in eternity and it had finally arrived. The Son of God would come to earth to save us from our sins. Only God can forgive sins against God and so the Son of God was sent, the Savior put on flesh and was given complete authority to forgive sins. So, glory to God in the highest! We have a loving God - Savior to save us from our sins to bring us into a perfect relationship with Him for eternity! This is Glory in the highest!
There are more glorious promises in the next phrase, "peace among those with whom He is pleased!" How do we experience the highest Glory of God in Jesus Christ? Through the Peace that the peacemaker Jesus Christ brings to earth. God’s purpose in Jesus Christ is to give you peace with God and with others. Our faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God and our sacrifice for sins declares us righteous and establishes us as at peace with God (Romans 5:1). God’s peace that He gives us in Christ sets aside all of His anger that He had toward us because of our sin. We are no longer in rebellion with God and therefore we are free from any fear of Him being angry with us. This is Glory in the Highest!
When God declares us at peace with Himself we are then to let that peace impact all of other relationships as well. We are to be peacemakers. "Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called sons of God" (Matthew 5:9). Jesus has come to bring peace in all of our relationships, starting with the relationship with yourself. Let go of every form of hopelessness, guilt, anxieties and worries – you have been declared righteous and at peace with your Creator God. He has got this and His purposes will always prevail.
What about every other relationship in your life? Does Jesus desire peace in those relationships too? Well, yes, as far as you are concerned strive for peace in all relationships. Yes, even that one. The Bible tells us, “if possible, so far as it depends upon you, live peaceably with all” (Romans 12:18). How do you do that when disgruntled family arrives? Start with remembering that a Holy God has declared Himself at peace with you, a sinner. Be astonished, stunned, dumbfounded at this declaration of our Creator God – “I am at peace with you in Jesus Christ!” We do not deserve this peace. And that astonishment of grace will empower you to be a peacemaker in all of your relationships even when that same peace is not reciprocated back to you. This also is glory in the highest.
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased!”
Have a Glorious and Peaceful Christmas in Jesus Christ, Steve
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