We ended 2006 by celebrating Christmas, which has been called, "the most wonderful time of the year". Then we began 2007 wishing one another a "Happy New Year"! What exactly would make this world a happy place in 2007? A wonderful start would be if somehow the "spirit of Christmas" would perpetually permeate and prevail in every heart, home, city and country all year long. That sentiment was pronounced by the angels at Christ's birth who proclaimed, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace, goodwill toward men". Oh how blessed it would be if all wars were ended and all soldiers could return home to their families! How marvelous it would be to truly have "peace on earth"! Is this possible??

I am not a pessimist. I think of myself as a 'realistic optimist', seeing things as they really are (which admittedly is not always encouraging), but always hoping for the best, and for a better future. Some look at the world with commendable optimism, but they are not realistic. We see this echoed in some popular songs like, "Let There Be Peace on Earth", or "My Grown-up Christmas List", etc. I like to listen to these songs because they are beautiful and melodic, and express the wondrous hope of peace on earth. But just singing about it, or wishing and hoping for peace will not bring it about. Many have done so for centuries without seeing the dream fulfilled.

I'd like you to consider how we can Biblically answer the question, "Is peace possible"? In part one of this article, we will consider several responses from the perspective of scripture, and next month in part two, we will consider several other biblical responses, and draw a conclusion.

1) There cannot be any real peace for the wicked or unbelieving. Isaiah 57:20-21 says, "But the wicked are like the troubled sea when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. There is no peace, says my God, for the wicked". So despite what man may say, dream, write or sing about, God says that it is not possible for the wicked to have peace in their heart or life. Who are the wicked? According to God, it is anyone who has not placed their faith in His Son, Jesus Christ. John 3:36 says, "He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him". There can be no peace in the heart and mind of anyone who has not yet received by faith the Prince of Peace as their Lord and Savior.

2) There cannot be any real and lasting peace on earth until Jesus returns to rule and reign. Isaiah 9:6-7 says, "For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given (that was the first-coming of Jesus as "the Lamb of God" 2000 years ago), and the government will be upon His shoulder (this speaks of His second-coming as "the Lion of Judah" to a literal throne and earthly kingdom), and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end; upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this." We applaud all sincere efforts to seek and maintain peace on earth today, but everyone can see that the world is becoming an increasingly turbulent and violent place. Only Jesus can bring and restore peace on earth, and the word and zeal of God Himself guarantees that He will!

3) There can and will be peace in the heart of the genuine believer. Romans 5:1 says, "Therefore having been justified by faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Praise the Lord! Even though the world around us continues to boil over with turmoil and strife, it is entirely possible for any individual to have inner peace by receiving Christ by faith as one's Savior from sin and eternal punishment. Jesus said in John 16:33, "These things I have spoken to you that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world". Thank God, it is possible to have peace in your soul by placing humble, childlike faith in Jesus, believing in His sinless life, substitutionary death, bodily resurrection, and His offer of forgiveness of sin and eternal life. Have you done this? Will you do this? If so, you can have the testimony of the following hymnwriter...

"When peace like a river attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, 'It is well, it is well with my soul'.
'It is well...with my soul. It is well, it is well, with my soul'."

- Horatio G. Spafford