“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased” – Luke 2:14 (ESV)
Who are the people that God is pleased with? The scripture says, “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” (Heb 11:6, ESV) The faithful are the ones who believed in Him and received Him. “He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.” (Jn 1:11-13, ESV) It is interesting, how these languages are in the past tense, like we discussed in the earlier devotional. Another reason is, predestination. We find that in Jesus’ own words. “And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed. I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything that you have given me is from you. For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them.” (Jn 17:5-10, ESV) In other words, these are people whom God has predestined in His divine election. (Eph 5:1) We know of their election by their faith. And we know of their faith by their believes. And therefore, these are the people whom Christ is pleased; and so, these are the people to whom he rests His peace.
Interestingly, this also means there are also a lot of people who won’t partake in this peace. It is those people who did not receive Him. (Jn 1:11) These are people who are in darkness. Jesus spoke: “Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word… Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.” (Jn 8:43, 47, ESV) The Apostle John spoke of this in advance. “And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.” (Jn 1:5, KJV)
But a majority of us who are professing Christians will hardly associate ourselves with the people who do not hear the Word. Because, we associate having faith with baptism, Church attendance, or the fact that we identify ourselves as Christians in the society. But the scripture leaves no grey area for such false confidence. The peace that Jesus talks about leaving on this earth, is specifically for His disciples – people who glorify God by obeying His Will, and in seeking Him in righteousness and Holiness. (Jn 14, 14:27)
The Word of God, indeed is a blessing for the elect and a judgement for the reprobate. But where do you and I stand? Will peace be ours? Let us seek His grace, that He would raise us up as His faithful servants.
Note: All of Piper’s quotations are from “Good News of Great Joy“
Read previous entries in this Series:
(i) Introduction: What Christ wants this Christmas (ii) December 1: Prepare the Way (iii) December 2: Mary’s Magnificent God (iv) December 3: The Confidence of Redeeming Hope (v) December 4: A Big God for Little People (vi) December 5: What He Willed to do
Semper Reformanda 