Glory to God in the Highest

 

   "And suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.'" (Luke 2:14).

            As the angel appeared to the shepherds and announced the birth of the Messiah, suddenly the heavens burst forth with an angelic chorus praising God. Their praise stated three facts: (1) the birth of Jesus gave glory to God; (2) the birth of Jesus gives peace to men; and, (3) the birth of Jesus demonstrates God's good will towards mankind.

            As great and powerful as angels are, to learn of their resounding praise of God for giving His only begotten Son for the purpose of going to Calvary that mankind might be saved, can only emphasize the superior love and greatness of both God and His beloved Son (1John 4:9).             

            While these words teach us many things, at the top of the list is the fact that nothing glorifies God more than the salvation of a soul!  And remembering the words of the apostle Paul, "Unto Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages" (Ephesians 3:21), it stands to reason that one cannot glorify God outside of His church; and if a person cannot glorify God, that person is not saved.

            But note the next phrase: "On earth, peace…" These words were not true till Jesus came to earth. Since the day that the cherubim, with fiery swords, drove man out of the Garden of Eden, wars have raged from one end of the earth to the other. There has been no true peace on earth, even in the consciences of men, until this babe was born in Bethlehem, and eventually was crucified and resurrected from the dead.  Let me ask you: Where do you expect to find peace if not in the Gospel of Jesus Christ? IF it is a "truth" that money brings peace, then it would be axiomatic that everyone who had money would also have peace – but we know that isn't the case. You cannot find peace in the law, in good moral behavior, or even in altruism. You can only find peace in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In all the Scriptures, only JESUS is called "Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6). Only Jesus provides peace between the Forgiver, and the forgiven. This is what the angels meant when they sang "Peace on earth."

            The angels ended their praise with, "Good will toward men."  No greater proof of kindness and love between the Creator and the created could possibly be demonstrated than when the Creator gave His only begotten Son to die for the created.  Don't be discouraged; be assured that God does have "good will toward man."  "As I live saith the Lord, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that he should turn unto Me and live" (Ezekiel 33:11).

            "Glory to God in the Highest"  --  "Peace on Earth"  --  "Good will toward man." All this, but you cannot glorify God apart from Jesus Christ; you cannot have genuine peace apart from Jesus Christ; and you cannot accept God's good will toward you apart from Jesus Christ. God is "in Christ" reconciling the world to Himself (2Corinthians 5:19). Have you been baptized "into Christ?" (Galatians 3:27).        --Toby Miller