“For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).
There are many terms and titles used to describe Jesus throughout the Bible. A few are found in the passage above. Isaiah, in prophesying of the birth of the Messiah, spoke of Jesus’ wisdom, power, deity, and eternality. But notice the last name – “Prince of Peace.” Jesus is the one who would bring peace. After His birth, the heavenly host proclaimed, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased” (Luke 2:14).
Jesus came to the earth to bring peace. But what kind of peace did He come to bring? It was one that only He could bring, one that man could not obtain on his own, and one that had been missing. Jesus came to bring peace between man and God (Romans 5:1). This had been missing because of sin. Sin separates man from God (Isaiah 59:1-2). “All have sinned” (Romans 3:23) and man could do nothing on his own to remedy that (Ephesians 2:8-9). Notice what Paul wrote:
“For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity. And He came and preached peace to you who were far away, and peace to those who were near” (Ephesians 2:14-17).
This passage teaches us a few things. First, this peace is available to all. It is open to “both groups” – Jews and Gentiles (Ephesians 2:14). Those who are “far away” (Gentiles) and those who are “near” (Jews) would be able to access this peace (Ephesians 2:17). Second, they would have peace as “one new man.” They could not enjoy peace with God while remaining in their old sinful state. There must be a definite contrast between the “old self” and the “new self” (Colossians 3:9-10). There would have to be a change of life. Third, we see that the peace comes from being reconciled to God. They have peace in being brought back into a right relationship with Him. Finally, if they wanted to partake of this peace they had to be part of the “one body.” This body is Christ’s body, also referred to as the church (Ephesians 1:22-23). One becomes a part of this body by being “baptized into Christ” (Galatians 3:27; 1 Corinthians 12:13). So there are conditions that must be met to enjoy peace with God. But none of it would be possible without the work of Jesus Christ.
It is also important to note that Jesus did not come to establish peace among men. Consider what Jesus said:
“Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I came to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and a man’s enemies will be the members of his household” (Matthew 10:34-36).
Jesus’ purpose for coming to the earth was not to make peace among men. Peace among men may be a byproduct of the peace Jesus made available between man and God. But this passage teaches us that Jesus did not come for that purpose.
As Christians, we can have peace with those who have peace with God. Notice again what the angels proclaimed at the birth of Jesus: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased” (Luke 2:14). Yes, there can be “peace among men,” but which men? Those “with whom He is pleased.” Those who “walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light” (1 John 1:7). Also notice what Paul wrote: “In Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross.” Jews and Gentiles were able to have peace with each other because both had been reconciled to God and were part of the “one body” – Christ’s body, the church.
In following Christ, we are to “pursue the things which make for peace” (Romans 14:19). How do we do that? Do we overlook differences in matters of faith? Do we ignore sin and error? No! James said, “The wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable” (James 3:17). The wisdom from above is that which was revealed by the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:7-13). It is the word of God. We cannot compromise or adulterate the teachings of Scripture so we can have peace with men. We are to “preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3). If we have unity and peace at the expense of the truth revealed by the Spirit, we find ourselves guilty of condoning those in sin (2 John 9-11).
The context of Romans 14 was addressing our relationship with a “brother” (Romans 14:15). It discussed matters in which, no matter what his personal opinion may be, “God has accepted him” (Romans 14:3). Since God had accepted him, then we know that the difference that we have with him cannot be a matter of sin. Because it is not a matter of sin, but simply opinion, he enjoys peace with God. We are to make sure we have peace with those who also have peace with God. Paul wrote earlier in this letter, “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor” (Romans 12:10). He told the brethren in Philippi, “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interest of others” (Philippians 2:3-4). In the next few verses he went on to describe Christ’s attitude – our Prince of Peace. He humbled Himself for the benefit of others (Philippians 2:5-8). We should have humility when dealing with brothers and sisters in Christ so we can enjoy peace with one another.
What about those who are not Christians? Can we “pursue the things which make for peace” (Romans 14:19) with them too? We can. Paul wrote, “If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men” (Romans 12:18). However, sometimes peace is not possible. But what is the best way to enjoy peace with them? First get them to have peace with God. That is why Jesus came to this earth. He came to bring about peace between man and God. We need to teach people and help them see what they need to do to partake of this peace and what they must do to continue in this peace. Then, when they too enjoy peace with God, we will all enjoy the byproduct of that – peace among men. Let us seek after the peace that Jesus came to bring, and in so doing, enjoy peace with those of like mind.
