FOOD FOR YOUR JOURNEY

22 November

TRUE PEACE

For it pleased the Father that in Him (Jesus) should all fulness dwell; And having made Peace through the blood of His cross, by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself; by Him, I say whether they be things in the earth, or things in heaven.

Colossians 1:19-20

It is amusing and at times utterly tragic to witness mankind rushing to and fro across the world trying to make peace with leaders, waring factions and indeed entire countries. The lengths to which some of these so called peace makers go is amazing to say the least. In some cases bribes are the order of the day and in others, threats of violence and economic sanctions are employed. In Africa, promises of untold wealth and prestige are exchanged for a cessation of killings and the hurried implementation of peace programmes which are completely unworkable, with expediency holding sway. Meetings and discussions with endless amendments and proposals are viewed on Television by a public, some of whom, are heartily sick and tired of it all.

In the beginning of time God created Man and Woman, perfect in every way. They disobeyed His commandments and were banished from His presence and ever since then man has gone it alone, thinking that he can get along just fine without God. Every now and then when something catastrophic takes place man will shake his fist at God and complain that He does not care about them and at the same time blame Him for their woes and sorrows. It is an incontrovertible fact that the state in which the world finds itself is as a direct result of disobedience to our Creator and sin against His Holy Name. The first two words of this verse tell us so:

And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he been reconciled.

Colossians 1:21

Yes we are to blame. Just how we can organise peace programmes by ignoring the Prince of Peace, is beyond comprehension. The state the world is in today is living breathing proof of a society who has ignored God and His commandments and who has told God in no uncertain terms that we can do it on our own and that we want to be left alone!

….we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. Colossians 1:28

The Scriptures, however, tell a very different story, warning us that there is a time of wrath to come. A time when God will say enough is enough and will bring this age to an end.

The hope for those who believe, is found in these verses of Scripture:

To whom God would make known what is the riches of the Glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of Glory.

Colossians 1:27

• Christ in you: The hope of Glory!

And ye are complete in Him, which is the Head of all principality and power.

Colossians 2:10

• You in Christ: The Triumph of Grace!

My prayer is that you will find peace with the Saviour.

Seek Him while He may be found.