COLOSSIANS 1:19-29
In English, the word peace usually means something like “the absence of war or conflict.” While the biblical concept of shalom encompasses this type of peace, it is only part of what God promised His people in the days leading up to the first coming of Jesus Christ.
Peace was lost in the days of Adam and Eve. As soon as they ate the forbidden fruit and realised their nakedness, they began to blame one another (Genesis 3:12-13) and sparked strife on God’s peaceful planet. Their descendants, including us, followed their bad example. We blame others for our bad choices and get angry when no one accepts the blame. Blaming others for our woes divides families, churches, communities, and nations. We cannot make peace because we are preoccupied with placing the blame.
The Old Testament tells of how God prepared the ground for presenting the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). Jesus came to destroy the cycle of sin and blame by making peace with God through His blood on the cross (Colossians 1:20). Instead of holding us accountable for all the problems we caused, He took the blame for all of us. Now He is recruiting followers who after receiving His forgiveness want others to receive it as well.
When we accept God’s forgiveness, we lose our desire to deny it to others. And when we live in peace with God, we try to make peace with others. We can give and receive the gift of peace this season.
