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(美国阿拉斯加州播音） ©World Christian Broadcasting Shortwave Radio Station KNLS, Anchor Point, Alaska, USA Recording Studios: Franklin, Tennessee, USA |
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©By Edward Short
Jesus brought peace and Jesus was the embodiment of peace. Both the Old and New Testaments describe Jesus in this way: “A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out” (Isaiah 42:3; Matthew 12:20). This means that Jesus was gentle and humble; he was happy to lead a simple and virtuous life, and he taught his disciples to do the same. For many years since that time, therefore, the disciples of Jesus, i.e., Christians, have told the world that world peace comes through Jesus Christ. What we see so often today, however, is not peace but war, not love but hate. Instead of self-sacrifice we see murder; instead of charity we see theft. “Where is Jesus’ peace?” we ask. We see disharmony in the home, instability in society and disunity in international circles. Where is the peace of Jesus? In fact, the peace of Jesus is peace of the inner person and is a peace which each of us can obtain and can in turn give to other people around us. The peace of Jesus is the love of Jesus; it is Jesus’ daily example of living, and is his cross. While Jesus lived on the earth, he lived a life of “love others as you love yourself” and he left the commandment that Christians should also “love others as you love yourself.” We see the peace of Jesus right in front of our eyes. Jesus is waiting for us to follow him, to become his children and to allow his love to fill our bodies and our lives. In this way, therefore, wherever there are disciples of Jesus, there is the love of Jesus and there is the peace of Jesus. When everyone in a family becomes a Christian, that home is filled with love and harmony, and the peace of Jesus Christ is there. When everyone in a community becomes a Christian, that community is full of love and stability, and the peace of Jesus is there. Little-by-little, the Christians in that community share the love of God with others so that more and more people become Christians. A Christian community becomes a Christian city, and the peace of Jesus Christ is there. As time goes on, the gospel of Jesus and the love of God and the truth of the gospel are spoken throughout the world and more and more people become Christians. Christian cities turn into a Christian world; and the peace of Jesus is there. Do not think that the peace of Jesus Christ cannot be seen. Wherever there are Christians, there should be the peace of Jesus. May both you and I take advantage of the opportunities afforded us by the Christmas season and envision a special kind of world, one where families, communities and nations are all Christians, one where everyone exhibits the characteristics of Jesus in lives of love and truth, as they enjoy the peace of Jesus. In this way, Jesus Christ, the “Prince of Peace,” will rule the world in love and establish peace on earth. ? ? ? The Christmas Season gives us an excellent opportunity to think about world peace and to pray for it. Below is my own prayer for world peace. Our Father in heaven, may people all over the world honor your name as holy. Heavenly Father, we glorify your name and give you thanks. Today we approach your throne of grace and request that you help every one on earth to think of peace, envision peace and struggle for peace. We know that Jesus Christ is the Prince of Peace. We know that when Jesus came to earth he brought peace to everyone. We know that Jesus brought two types of peace: peace between man and God and peace among men. Heavenly Father, we thank you that Jesus Christ came to earth to save us. Only by Jesus can we make peace with you and only by Jesus can we make peace with each other. O God, please grant us strength to leave sin and be reconciled to you. Please give us courage to love our fellows with the same love with which you love us and thus live in harmony with each other. If we are reconciled with you and if we live harmoniously with one another, then little-by-little our world will become a place of peace. O God, we need peace within and harmony without. We thank you that your Son, Jesus Christ, is the Prince of Peace. Today, we implore you to enable the leaders of every country to strive for international peace. At the same time, we ask you, to help each of us to strive for that which comes only from you, the only source of peace—happiness within ourselves and peace in our lives. You are the sole Sovereign of the universe, and so it is to you that we come today. Our thanksgiving and our petitions are in the name of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. |
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You
know, of course, that Christmas is a celebration of the birth of Jesus
Christ. In Chinese, the term for Christmas (sheng dan) includes the word
“holy” (sheng). Since Jesus Christ is God eternal, he is a holy and pure
person and is eternal, so it is right and proper to use the word “holy” to
describe Jesus. Actually, the Bible describes Jesus Christ in several
ways. He is he called “King of kings” and he is also called the “Prince
of Peace”