Updated: I am indebted to good friend bro. David Wyatt who, early on, caught an erroneous statement at the beginning of this article. I have edited my error. Of course our Savior, Jesus Christ is addressed as the Prince of Peace in the beautiful prophecy in Isaiah 9:6, one of the greatest OT prophecies in God’s Word of the birth of the Messiah, The Savior, Jesus Christ:
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Jesus is also addressed as The God of Peace, The Lord of Peace, the Prince of life and the Prince of the kings of the earth. And we know from Scripture that Jesus Christ brings eternal Peace to any and all who trust Him alone for their eternal life. Do you have that Peace?
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. […] Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Luke 2:11,14
Jesus said:
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. John 16:33
Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 1:3
Now, what Peace have we here???
- Lordship Salvation,
- Commitment Salvation,
- Bi-Lateral Contract “Salvation,”
- Calvinism,
- Arminianism,
- the “Social Gospel,” etc.
These are all UNCERTAIN messages with no Peace, no root of a Free Grace Gospel, no Grace life and no future. Most are “feel good” poor imitations of the True Gospel and more than likely are inventions in the minds of unknowing, deluded or devious teachers.
We must be aware. Their dangerous lies are here in brief – there are more. I encourage you to comment or elaborate:
Lordship Salvation, [If I am not living the “Christian life” according to “my teacher’s” prescription or satisfaction, I have no salvation, no peace.]
Commitment Salvation, [If I haven’t turned from my sin, turned my life over, given my life, committed my life, etc to Christ according to “my teacher’s” conditions, I am not “saved” and have no peace according to his definition.]
Bi-Lateral Contract “Salvation,” [God makes a Bilateral (two way) Contract with me for my salvation. My end of the deal is — I agree with Him that I will keep that contract in order to secure my salvation. If I break my part of the contract, all HOPE is gone, I have no peace.]
Calvinism, [If I happen not to be “chosen, predestined or elected” by God for salvation, I am condemned to Hell for all eternity. I have no choice to believe in the Savior, Jesus Christ. My eternity is already determined, I have no peace.]
Arminianism… [I may believe in Jesus Christ as my Savior but I can never really, really be sure I am indeed “saved” or maybe I need to get “saved” again and again — until eventually I end up in either heaven or hell — no peace. (That’s probation, not Salvation).]
The “Social Gospel,” [We drill water wells in foreign places and bake yummy pies and cookies for little old ladies. We feel good and they feel good. (But we don’t know — that we can never be as “good” as we can possibly be. Without the Gospel of God’s Grace alone by Faith alone in Jesus Christ alone for salvation, we can never be “good enough.” Hell is our eternal destination. No Peace.]
And the way of peace have they not known: Romans 3:17
With such false beliefs, how is it possible anyone can ever have the Peace that Passes all understanding
Just maybe this is the reason we witness so many depressed, un-peaceful and unhappy people at this glorious time of year when we celebrate the marvelous Birth of our Savior.. The Only Savior, the God of Peace, Jesus Christ.
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: Romans 5:1
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Colossians 3:15
Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all. 2 Thessalonians 3:16
How You May Have that Peace of God Which Passes All Understanding. << Click
Notes From A Retired Preacher 
Dear AOW,
I suffered about two Sundays in an Orthodox PC. That was very shortly after I trusted Christ as my Savior in a super clear Free Grace church.. My wife and I were naively trying to find a “church” closer to home and this one had lots of friends who shared my Conservative bent.. After the AM service, the Chairman of the County Republican and Chairman and fellow member of the Rep. Executive Committee (a prominent attorney) and his wife came tripping up behind us, patted me on the back and shouted loudly, “Hi Jack, glad to see you, Isn’t it wonderful that God has seen fit to choose us to be saved!!” I mean loud and in a crowd!!.
They loaded us up with Calvinist books, etc..
I then realized that church was no different than my family Calvinist Presbyterian Church from which I departed as an unsaved teenager 15 or so years earlier.
Thankfully the Lord gave me enough discernment that their QPC teaching abrogated the Biblical “whosoever wills” and passages such as:
“And He is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. 1 John 2:2
Thankfully we never went back.
Thanks for the interesting conversation.. Y’all have a blessed Christmas.
BTW, I still visit your blog often and have wondered what ever happened to your friend The Merry Widow?
In Jesus Christ eternally, Jack
Jack,
However He has saved me is more than good enough for me!
I happen to believe in “free choice.” In fact, I came to the Lord during an altar call in a Baptist church — before I attended the OPC (which does offer excellent Bible studies, I have to say).
While I was attending the OPC, I did note very few conversions. Just sayin’.
A blessed Christmas to you, Jack.
Dear AOW,
Good to see you — I pray Mr. AOW is recovering well and you both will have a blessed Christmas.
Yes, God, in His Omnipotence, never forces anyone to Heaven or hell but has given us all choice to believe in Jesus Christ as our Savior. That is His Grace.. Whosoever believeth in Him shall never Perish.
Happy to have you aboard here and we’ll see you later in Heaven. 😎
In Jesus Christ eternally, Jack
I grew up in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church, with all its Calvinism regularly preached from the pulpit and taught in Sunday school — to even the youngest children.
I finally came to this conclusion: God, as Sovereign, can do whatever He wants, any way that He wants.
He has the grace to give us a plan of salvation, and He can choose whoever partakes.
So, I abandoned Calvinistic fatalism when I came to those conclusions — and then had peace.
Bro. David,
Thanks for the encouragement.. I appreciate you as a fellow believer and friend.
Lookin’ UP ^^^^^
In Jesus Christ eternally, Jack
Bro. Jack,
How may times have I been humbled?! Your genuine humility in Christ is a blessing, the times you have been accurate with God’s Word dwarfs the very few times you may have overlooked something. I remember thinking for sure that Jesus is referred to as the Great Physician in Scripture until I searched and found I was wrong. Oh well, it wasn’t the first time and unless I immediately pass off this earthly scene by death or Rapture, it won’t be the last! God Bless you bro. Jack!
Ken,
Welcome and thanks for your kind comments.. We likewise pray you and yours will have a blessed Christmas, a time of Joy in our Savior Jesus Christ.
In Jesus Christ eternally, Jack
Thank you for such an encouraging message! May our Lord continue His blessings to you this Christmas!
John,
Absolutely right — you said “they all presume that salvation is wrought by man giving something to God.”
Yes, that is the essence of the terrible error/lie.. There seems to be a guilt that they try to assuage by their “giving good works” while rejecting the only solution, trusting in Jesus who finished and provides Eternal Life at NO cost or obligation to anyone. They do that either ignorantly or intentionally — “rather than receiving His gift of salvation by Grace, through faith in Jesus Christ.”
Thanks John, great truths.
One wonders why anyone would honestly take such a precarious and uncertain path to their eternal future — except by blind and unthinking obedience to false teachers.
In Jesus Christ eternally, Jack
Jack, what the false gospels have in common is that they all presume that salvation is wrought by man giving something to God, rather than receiving His gift of salvation by Grace, through faith in Jesus Christ.
God sent His only begotten Son as His gift of love to us.
Ephesians 2:4-7 NKJV ” But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.”
Thanks Pearl,
Appreciate your prayers that I will be accurate in doctrine and writing.. Appreciate your friendship.
In Jesus Christ eternally, Jack
Wonderful, Jack. I pray this ministers to many troubled souls.
Eddy and BurningLamp,
Thanks.. I thoroughly dislike being inaccurate with God’s Word.. Appreciate your comments.
In Jesus Christ eternally, Jack
Sorry, I didn’t read the previous comments.
What about Isaiah 9:6?
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Thanks Jack for your excellent article.
“And your feet shood with the preparation of the gospel of peace.” Ephesians 6:15
Dear Jack,
Each of us make mistakes. I just made one today, and dear Pearl corrected me. I am humbled as well. A true fellowship amount us.
Bro. David,
You are completely right.. My brain was in neutral and my search was only in the NT. I could say I was just being tricky.. but I don’t like to be tricky with God’s Word. THANK YOU so much!
Yes, how could I ever forget Isaiah 9:6, one of the greatest OT prophecies in God’s Word of the birth of the Messiah, Savior, Jesus Christ.
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
I am humbled. Thank you.
In Jesus Christ eternally, Jack
Bro. Jack, I do have that peace, as per Romans 5:1! But, what about Isaiah 9:6, isn’t He referred to as the Prince of Peace in this verse? Surely He is the Son given & the Child born. Anyway, God Bless you this CHRISTmas bro. Jack!