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In this present world of much injustice and unrighteousness, there can never be any lasting peace. But in the new earth that God has prepared for His people, peace will reign forever.
A COMMON ITEM in the news that we hear, read, or watch at the communal, regional, national, and more so global level at present, is the lack of peace. There are always cases of murder, violence, conflict, unrest, and terrorism, but rarely, if at all, is something written about peace. Some may think this ironic, considering the advancements that have been made in various fields of endeavor more so in the promotion of international peace and well-being. But we should not be surprised at all, for the Bible has forewarned:
“For when they say, ‘Peace and safety!’ then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape.” (I Thess. 5:3 New King James Version)
Lack of peace has been hounding man’s life since time immemorial. But when especially would the world be so chaotic? When the end is near, as can be gleaned from the prophecy of Ezekiel:
“This is what the Sovereign Lord is saying: ‘One disaster after another is coming on you. It’s all over. This is the end. You are finished. … The day of disaster is coming. Violence is flourishing. Pride is at its height. Violence produces more wickedness. Nothing of theirs will remain, nothing of their wealth, their splendor, or their glory. The time is coming. The day is near when buying and selling will have no more meaning, because God’s punishment will fall on everyone alike. No merchants will live long enough to get back what they have lost, because God’s anger is on everyone. Those who are evil cannot survive. … There is fighting in the streets, and sickness and hunger in the houses. Anyone who is out in the country will die in the fighting, and anyone in the city will be a victim of sickness and hunger.” (Ezek. 7:5–6, 10–13, 15 Good News Bible, emphasis added)
Is this not a vivid and accurate picture of our day and age? People suffering from hunger, danger, sickness. The world economy has been reeling like a battered boxer trying to stay on his feet. Crimes of the most heinous kind are on the rise.
One may ask, “Why are all these happening?” In Ezekiel 7:8–9, God’s answer is revealed as follows:
“Very soon now you will feel all the force of my anger. I am judging you for what you have done, and I will pay you back for all your disgusting conduct. I will not spare you or show you any mercy. I am going to punish you for the disgusting things you have done, so that you will know that I am the Lord and that I am the one who punishes you.” (gnb)
It is man himself who has brought such destruction upon himself, due to his non-compliance with the laws of God or his violation of God’s covenant:
“The earth suffers for the sins of its people, for they have twisted the instructions of God, violated his laws, and broken his everlasting covenant. Therefore, a curse consumes the earth …” (Isa 24:5–6 New Living Translation)
People today are only paying the price for their sins.
Thus, the world is in constant upheaval and chaos, and it will reach its most catastrophic and tragic end come the Day of Judgment (II Pet. 3:7, 10).
But, as God is merciful (Neh. 9:31), He gives man a chance to have peace in this life, and ultimately to be saved come Judgment Day. How can this be? Man, first of all, must be counted amongst God’s people, according to Psalms 29:11:
“The Lord will give strength to His people; The Lord will bless His people with peace.” (nkjv)
It is imperative then that a person be counted amongst the people of God for one to have the promise of peace. But, more than the peace that the world longs for, which is the peace that people should strive to secure for themselves? The Apostle Paul revealed the following:
“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Rom. 5:1 nkjv)
Man needs to have peace with God because, due to his sins, he has been counted as an enemy or adversary of God (Col. 1:21), and condemned to suffer the second death in the lake of fire (Rev. 20:14). Thus, man needs to gain peace with God through the Lord Jesus Christ.
What did Christ do in order for man to have peace with God? Colossians 1:20-22 states this:
“And by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross. And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight.” (nkjv)
Christ shed His blood in order to reconcile man unto God. The efficacy of Christ’s blood cannot be understated, since redemption or the forgiveness of sins can be attained through His blood (Eph. 1:7). But where can we find those who have benefited from the blood of Christ? In the Church Of Christ, as attested to by the apostles:
“Take heed therefore to yourselves and to all the flock over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you overseers, to feed the church of Christ which he has purchased with his blood.” (Acts 20:28 Lamsa Translation)
Therefore, the only ones who have peace with God through Christ are the members of the Church that Christ shed His blood for. They are the ones whose sins have been forgiven. Are members of the Church Of Christ really recognized as God’s people? Yes, according again to the Apostle Paul:
“You are the people of God; he loved you and chose you for his own. So then, you must clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.” (Col. 3:12 gnb)
Indeed, it is a great fortune to become a member of the true Church Of Christ, for as God’s people, we have the promise of peace. But what kind of peace does the Lord promise us?
“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give isn’t like the peace the world gives. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” (John 14:27 nlt)
This is why, even though members of the Church Of Christ face their own share of hardships, trials and difficulties, still there is an inner sense of peace and comfort, because they know that God and His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, are with them. In the midst of chaos, Iglesia Ni Cristo members have peace.
But which is the greatest peace that Church Of Christ members look forward to? II Peter 3:13 says:
“Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.” (nkjv)
In this present world of much injustice and unrighteousness, there can never be any lasting peace. But in the new earth that God has prepared for His people, righteousness, and thus peace, will reign forever. Because of this, members of the Church Of Christ strive to remain steadfast in the faith in order for their living hope of salvation to finally be realized:
“Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless.” (II Pet. 3:14 nkjv)
