The Price of Peace


By

Rev. Clarence W. Page


Jeremiah prophesied, "For from the least of them even unto the greatest of them every one is given to covetousness; and from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealest falsely" (Jeremiah 6:13) He continues, "They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace". (Jeremiah 6:14).

Of a truth, our world today seeks peace. We talk of peace, we write of peace, we pay for peace, and we even pray for peace. Yet, we seem to parallel the situation which existed in Jeremiah's day, for certainly we keep saying, "peace, peace," but there is no peace. Our homes are in turmoil, our streets are virtual battlefields and nations stand poised to destroy each other and the entire planet, all in pursuit of peace. The saddest and most poignant of all is the fact that multiple millions of people do not have peace in their hearts.

To desire peace is honorable. To actively seek peace is even more commendable. However, to pursue peace wrongly is a great tragedy. Many of us are as a people seeking to solve the right equation by using the wrong formula.

Peace follows a right relationship with God. There is no other road to true peace. Psalm 85:10 says, "Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other". The discerning prophet Isaiah says, "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee". (Isaiah 26:3). Let us not minimize the importance of the phrase, "because he trusteth in thee". Luke tells us that the message from Heaven on the day the Prince of Peace made his momentous entry into the world was, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men". (Luke 2:14).

True peace will become reality only when God is glorified. When we give God preeminence in our lives, then, and only then, will we have true peace. God made man that man might glorify God. When we accomplish the purpose for which we were made, then the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, will dwell in our hearts.

We cannot properly glorify God unless we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior. We cannot have true inner peace until we accept Jesus Christ as our Saviour.

The formula for peace is not a complex extrapolation of abstract variables. The formula for peace is simple: The Price of Peace = The Acceptance of The Prince of Peace. HALLELUJAH!!!