Peace on Earth

Christmas was two months ago, and "Peace on Earth, Good Will Toward Men" rang like a bell throughout the country. One of my former favorite singing groups, a husband/wife duet, sang on television. The words (written by Vince Gill, 1993) to the first verse and chorus are:

Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me. Let there be peace on earth, the peace that was meant to be. With God as our Father, brothers all are we. Let me walk with my brother in perfect harmony.

Let peace begin with me, let this be the moment now. With every step I take, let this be my solemn vow. To take each moment and live each moment with peace eternally. Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.

I remember another former favorite husband/wife team singing one of my favorite songs. The words (Bill Gaither, 1975) of the third verse and chorus:

Tender words, gentle touch, and a good cup of coffee, and someone who loves me and wants me to stay; hold them near while they're here and don't wait for tomorrow, to look back and wish for today.

We have this moment to hold in our hands, and to touch as it slips through our fingers like sand. Yesterday's gone and tomorrow may never come, but we have this moment today.

These are gentle songs with compassionate strains of love and tenderness, and they portray the love of God in a heart-warming way. A basic definition of peace is: "a state of favorable circumstances; harmony; a state of tranquility; being free from danger." But both of those singing couples divorced decades ago. What happened? Where was the love and peace about which they sang? Didn't they apply it to themselves and their families? No, because peace does not begin with humans.

Many people say we all need to "think world peace" in order to generate peace. Others say we need to "think health and wholeness" and "think prosperity" and we would be healthy and prosperous. Will that work? Not really.

Please don't misunderstand: all you who know me know that I am a positive thinker. I dwell in the positive side of life. Our positive attitudes encourage others and enhance their quality of life. And it's true that mankind was made in the image of God, so we are capable of being peaceful and loving. But is that happening? No. Why? Mankind rebelled against God and became his own god. Man doesn't want true love and true peace.

True love, true peace, and true joy come ONLY from God -- the creator of love, peace, and joy. But man, as a race, doesn't want to accept a sovereign, holy God in his life because man doesn't want to be accountable. Man wants to live his own life his own way. Remember the song Frank Sinatra made famous? "I'll Do It My Way!" That is total arrogance, for man's way leads to egotism, rebellion, and death. Proverbs 14:12 informs us that when man chooses his own path in life without God's leadership, it leads to death.

Some Muslims murder nonbelievers and that includes everyone from a Muslim with a different point of view to a conservative evangelical Christian. Adherents of an atheistic evolutionary belief look down on ardent Biblical Creationists, and the opposite is sometimes true. The world's religions are antithetical to true Christianity and to each other; therefore, adherents of all sides are often at odds with each other. Even Christians sometimes look down on Christians of a differing viewpoint.

A complicating factor is the U.S. Congress allows judges to legitimize the practice of evil, immoral lifestyles which places true Christians in physical and legal jeopardy. Peace cannot prevail when Christianity and Biblical morality are demoted to a criminal status.

To say, "let there be peace, and let it begin with me" -- a human being -- is an oxymoron; it's faulty logic. Mankind is the very reason there is no peace!

So how can we experience peace? The answer is simple. We need to live for the One Who created true love and peace -- the Prince of peace -- Jesus Christ. He can give us peace in our hearts and minds even though the world at large continues on its fast-track to death and destruction. (Read John 3:16-20.) And like it or not, you will see Jesus someday. Are you ready to meet Him?

-- Gene Linzey is a speaker, author, and former pastor. Send comments and questions to [email protected]. The opinions expressed are those of the author.