Peace on Earth and goodwill to all men?

Really now. Is that what the scripture says? If so, where is all the peace and goodwill? We have nations at war, governments in anarchy, communities divided and homes in turmoil. What about this goodwill to all men? In these last days, goodwill toward each other has become lost in our self-will. We have become people who are more concerned about self and barely concerned about others. So, who gets to enjoy peace on earth and goodwill?

First, let’s look at what the scripture says. Luke 2: 14 says “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is well pleased.” This rendering comes from the Amplified Bible. I referenced it with other translations that also give clearer meaning to the Greek and Hebrew words and they translate this passage similarly. God giving us Jesus intended peace and goodwill for everyone but not everyone will accept Jesus.

Peace and goodwill are for those who please God. The first step in living a life that pleases God is by accepting the most wonderful Christmas gift of His Son. The second way to please God is by living a life of obedience. An obedient life is one that does what God wants us to do, when He wants us to do it, how He wants us to do it and where He wants us to do it. This is also a lifestyle of worship in which one’s life is surrendered as an offering to God.

Real peace and goodwill come to those who live a life pleasing to Him. These blessings do not follow those who don’t please the Lord. There is no greater gift than peace and good will that follows you all through your life. Please be among those who accept this wonderful Christmas gift.

The Forgetfulness of God!

How could the God of the universe be so forgetful? Is it because He has so much on His mind? Or is it because He has selective memory? I think it’s the latter. There are just some things that God chooses not to remember. God says in Hebrews 8: 12, “I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and lawless deeds I will remember no more.” He has made a deal with us in His new covenant that if we repent and choose His Son, He will forgive us and choose to forget our sins. Wow! God chooses to forget our sins.

Micah 7: 19 tells us, “He will have compassion on us and subdue our iniquities and casts all our sins into the depths of the sea.”

Psalm 103: 3 and 12 states that “God forgives all our iniquities and as far as the east is from the west, He has removed our transgressions from us.”  With all of the undiscovered galaxies and universes, from east to west is infinite.

Hebrews 9: 26 declares “Jesus appeared to put away our sin by sacrificing Himself.” When God sent Jesus to die for our sins it was a completed work. It then got put into the completed file. Completed things don’t have to be thought about anymore.

God doesn’t think about our sins because He has forgotten them. He has forgiven them and He has cleansed us from them. 1 John 1:9 reminds us,” that if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” When God puts our sins away it means that He no longer carries the offenses and we don’t have to either. Praise God for His forgetfulness!