The Impact of Sin on the Absence of Peace

As we continue our study about the gift of peace, we come to a really ironic twist in Isaiah's discussion of Christmas peace. Isaiah 11:3, 4 says, “and he will delight in the fear of the LORD. He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, or decide by what he hears with his ears; but with righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth; with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked.”

The irony is that before we get to the predator and prey lying down together, we actually see a little bit of violence. Verse 4 says, “He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth; with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked.” Before peace prevails, there is some pretty strong actions against sin. Because the truth is, peace can only prevail with the eradication of sin.

It reminds me of the words of Paul in Colossians 3. "Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.  You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator."


Because we identify ourselves with Christ, we should "put to death" whatever belongs to our earthly nature. Is this a test of our salvation or acceptance with Christ? No. However, we can never experience the full peace of God until sin is eradicated in our lives. Paul challenges us to "rid yourselves of all such things...." Again, this is not the means to acceptance with Christ. So how do we rid ourselves of these things. The next verses provide the answer: "Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.  Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts...." (verses 12-15). We rid ourselves of the former characteristics, by putting on the latter qualities.


The removal of the earthly nature and the putting on of the godly nature results in what? "The peace of Christ" ruling your hearts! There is a direct correlation between our willingness to put to death whatever belongs to our earthly nature and the peace of God in our lives.