Isaiah 9:6 (Amplified) says that, "For unto us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father (of eternity),Prince of Peace."
At this time of year we receive Christmas cards that declare "Peace on earth and good will toward men." Few realize this is scripture or they don't realize that this was God's covenant of peace with mankind. Luke 2:14 (Amplified) says, "Glory to God in the Highest (heaven) and on earth peace among men with whom He is well pleased (men of goodwill, of His favor)."
Everyone who has received Jesus as our Lord and Savior are favored by God through Jesus' favor. This favor is available to all who will receive it through Jesus. When God made this covenant through the birth of His Son, He declared that He was now at peace with those who will accept His peace covenant. God has made a declaration that He isn't mad at you, but has now made peace with mankind through the Prince of Peace, Jesus.
Ephesian 1:2 (Amplified) says that, "May grace (God's unmerited favor) and spiritual peace (which means peace with God and harmony, unity, and undisturbedness) be yours from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ."
This peace on earth doesn't mean that everything on earth will now be peaceful, but that all who will accept Jesus on this earth now will have peace with God. We still walk in fear of reprisal from God for our past transgressions without understanding of those scriptures. God isn't mad at you! Everything we've done or could do to displease God was laid upon Jesus. By receiving God's gift of His Son, we've received all of His forgiveness and we've been cleansed of His wrath and punishment forever.
Mostly, though, we still act like God's displeased with us most of the time. On the contrary, though, God is well pleased by those who will accept His covenant. Did you notice how in Isaiah 9:6 that "Unto us a Child is born, and unto us a Son is given?" God didn't say that this Child was born unto Him, but unto us. God also said that this Child was a gift unto us of His peace for all who will receive It. That's why Jesus was born unto us.
We read in John 3:16 (Amplified), "For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He (even) gave up His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life."
This Christmas gift was given to all who will believe and receive it. God has declared a covenant of peace with all who will accept His gift of Jesus. And, God has now declared them to be in right standing (or righteous) before Him in Jesus. Those who reject God's gift of peace, (it's not that God hasn't offered peace, but that they've rejected His offer of peace) have set themselves as enemies of God.
God never wanted to be man's enemy, but when men rejected His offer of peace they put themselves as His enemy.
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