At this time of the year we hear a variety of carols, many about peace on earth. Peace – really!

Is this just a myth, wishful thinking, or the real Bible message?

It is definitely the Bible message, and Christian hope. At the birth of Jesus angels sang:

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!

Luke 2:14

The Jewish prophets had said that Jesus would be the ‘prince of peace’.

But the world is in a terrible state, with horrific injustice and two major wars underway right now. So has Christianity failed?

Certainly not! Contrary to popular belief, Christianity was never designed as a national, universal religion. And Jesus never said that the church would spread and fill the earth. Actually, he said the opposite:

For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few

Matthew 7:14

And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. This must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. These are but the beginning of the birth pains (Mark 13:7-8).

In fact, one of our carols contains the words:

Yet with the woes of sin and strife
The world has suffered long;
Beneath the angel-strain have rolled
Two thousand years of wrong;

It goes on:

For lo!, the days are hastening on,
By prophet bards foretold,
When with the ever-circling years
Comes round the age of gold
When peace shall over all the earth
Its ancient splendors fling

And that is indeed biblical. The promise is of peace in God’s kingdom on earth, when Jesus returns.

But before that, now in this world of violence and trouble, Christian believers can have peace. Peace  with God, because of Jesus. Notice that the angels referred to those with whom he [God] is pleased. Not everybody, but those who believe.

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ

Romans 5:1

Let us all try to be in that group of believers.

Image by Gordon Johnson from Pixabay

Sadly, a previous prime minister of the UK has been pronounced guilty of deliberately misleading Parliament. This has caused havoc in British politics. It is serious stuff.

There are biblical examples of people ‘deliberately misleading’ other people for a seemingly good cause. For example, Rahab lied when she hid the Hebrew spies (Joshua 2:1-7), Hushai gave foolhardy advice to Absalom in order to protect king David (2 Samuel 17:1-14).

Years later, at his sham trial, Jesus was accused of misleading the Jews.

And they began to accuse him, saying, “We found this man misleading our nation and forbidding us to give tribute to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ, a king”.

Luke 23:2

This was a completely false accusation, as the Bible says of Jesus:

He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth.

1 Peter 2:22

Does truth matter? Indeed it does.

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.

Romans 1:18

In contrast, Jesus was :

‘full of truth’.

John 1:14

So we need to be very careful. The apostle John warned that by denying our sinfulness we actually accuse God of being a liar:

If we say we have not sinned, we make him [God] a liar, and his word is not in us.

1 John 1:10

He also says that

Whoever says “I know him [Jesus Christ]” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

1 John 2:4

Now that is truly serious stuff!

Image by Clker-Free-Vector-Images from Pixabay

There is only one Bible: one message the words of which are inspired by God. It was mostly written on scrolls, but very few of us can read ancient Hebrew or Greek, so we have versions in English. (The quotations below are from the English Standard version.) Nowadays there are many such translations; some more accurate than others. Obviously, it is better to have an accurate translation. Even so, English Bibles vary in their appearance. Some have extra information added by the translators, e.g. margins, cross-references, translation notes or a concordance. Some have maps and pictures; some have commentaries and these may, or may not, be accurate. And Bibles vary in appearance. There are a variety of covers, different paper quality, font and page layout. But what does your Bible look like?

Well, what does your favourite armchair look like? It is unlikely to be in the same pristine condition as when it was new. Although you have looked after it, it possibly looks a bit worn and even maybe in need of some repair or attention. While well-loved, it is probably obvious that it has been much used and appreciated.

So, what does your Bible look like?

The Bible makes awesome claims. Time and time again a message or warning starts with words like, “Thus says the LORD.”

And its authority and power are second to none:

“…knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit”.

2 Peter 1:20-21

^“But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whomyou learned itand how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work”.

“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart”.

Hebrews 4:12

2 Timothy 3:14-17

A Bible is precious so it should be cherished, but used. As someone once said, “A Bible that is falling apart is owned by people who are not.”

 What is YOUR Bible like?