20061112
When Alfred Nobel, the inventor of dynamite, died on December 10, 1896, he left behind a generous endowment fund. Ironically, this fund was to be used for five international prizes, including one for peace. The Nobel Prize was to be given out annually. In 2006, the amount of 10 million Swedish Kroners (S$2.1m) was to be shared among the five prizes. The Nobel Prize for Peace was to be awarded to the person who “shall have done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding of peace congresses.” The Nobel Prize for Peace winners included Yitzhak Rabin (1994), Anwar Sadat (1978) and Martin Luther King (1964). Ironically, the Nobel Prize for Peace winners paid the price with their own lives for being peacemakers.
The world looks for peace. Everyone desires peace and harmony. But can there be real peace in our world? The real issue is that man is at war with God. God created man in His own image and to have an abundant life with Him. But God did not make man to be robots to automatically love and obey Him. God gave man a free will and a freedom of choice. Man chose to disobey God and go his own wilful way. This resulted in separation of man from God. This separation from God also affected man’s relationship with each other, resulting in violence and war. In Gen 4:8, the account is given of Cain killing his brother, Abel.
The peace that God intended for humanity was revealed most fully in Jesus. He died on the cross, was placed in the tomb for three days but rose on the third day – a Risen Saviour and Peacemaker. He paid the penalty for man’s sin to bridge the wide gap between man and God. “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom. 5:1).
Coming into a relationship with Jesus Christ by faith and following Him does not mean a life free of conflict. Tensions between people and nations still exist. There are still dangers from natural disasters. Strife between individuals still exists. However, embracing this “peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” changes everything – including our perspective of life and interacting with others.
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Rom . 15:13).
