“To all the beloved of God…, called to be holy. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 1:7)

The major theme for this 4th Sunday of Advent focuses on our continuing preparation for the upcoming arrival of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who will bring true peace to our world and lives. Because we are in the 4th Sunday of advent, we light up all 4 advent candles in the wreath to symbolize that Jesus Christ’s birthday, the Lord’s coming is imminent.

Peace is one of the greatest gifts desired in the Old Testament. It is promised to the people of Israel as a reward for their faithfulness (Leviticus 26:6) and appears as a work of God (Isaiah 26:12).

Only God can give us true peace that the world cannot give because only God is almighty through whom true peace reigns eternally. Unlike the worldly mentality, authentic peace does not come from absence of war, but from our sincere repentance and correct relationship with God. Therefore, true peace cannot be achieved even from the most intimate friendships or spiritual similarities if it is not based on the total communion of our will with the will of God. If we abide by God’s will, we will obtain and enjoy the greatest treasure in our lives, the authentic peace.  

The true gift of peace will come with the arrival of the Messiah (Isaiah 11:6-9). As the only begotten Son of God and is God, Jesus Christ, the long-waited Messiah, who comes to bring us true peace, the messianic and redemptive peace, for he is the “Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6) and invites us to learn from him, who is gentle and humble of heart, so that we can encounter true peace (Matthew 11:29). Therefore, the Gospel is the good news of peace (Acts 10:36) and those who bring peace to others are called children of God (Matthew 5:9).

God does not want us holding a relationship of Transaction but Transformation. Therefore, Dynamic Christian disciples are those who (1) BELIEVE, (2) GROW, (3) SERVE, (4) LOVE and (5) LEAD others to Jesus. Today’s topic invites us to prepare continually for the upcoming arrival of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will bring us true peace, to repent our sins, to exercise our Christian stewardship, to use our time, treasure and talents to love God above all and to love our neighbors as ourselves, participating in the works of mercy, to accomplish God’s will in our lives to glorify God. 

How can we help each other experience true peace in our lives?         

Wishing you a blessed week in the Lord.