The Prince of Peace and the Celebration of a Spiritual Birthday

I am more convinced than ever that true peace is not found in a circumstance but in a Person. Like many of you, I have had times of peace rooted in favorable circumstances. But circumstances in life are filled with peaks and valleys. When peace is predicated on our circumstances, peace comes and goes. Circumstantial peace is fickle and temporary because circumstances are constantly in flux.

The Advent season is special to all of us, but it’s also special to your Pastor. On December 23, right in the heart of the Advent season, to borrow John Wesley's terminology for his conversion, “I felt my heart strangely warmed.” It was in those moments of entering into a relationship with the Prince of Peace that I discovered God’s gift of peace. 

I was a regular church attendee with my family my entire life. However, I was unconverted. Unregenerated. Unresponsive to the Gospel and the words of Jesus. I was “in church,” but my life was not “in Christ.” When I responded to the actual Gospel as described in Scripture, Jesus Christ filled my inner being with a peace I had never known before. This peace endured. This peace transcended my circumstances.

In my prior spiritual naivete, I didn’t realize how my own sin robbed me of the gift of God’s peace. While outwardly, my peers perceived me as “having it all together,” I lived a different life inwardly. I failed to see how my own pride, lust, greed, anger, insecurity, my tendency to gossip, my tendency to try to control people and circumstances, my envy, and self-pity were all acts of rebellion against my true design, and thus acts of rebellion against my True Designer (Psalm 51:4). When I repented of these patterns and turned to Jesus, I began to understand the words of Scripture, “It is His kindness that leads us to repentance” (Romans 2:4). By turning my back on these life-distorting patterns, I found new life because of what would follow. 

There was something more that happened on that day than turning from my sin. It wasn't just about what I turned from, but Who I turned to. I came to know Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace. He drew near—not as one I perceived with the five senses, but through the power of His presence that flamed in my heart. Peace. Presence. Fire. Joy. Love, like I had never known before. 

All of this happened on December 23, when I was in my early twenties. In later years, I would read the story of John Wesley, and while many have expressed how puzzled they are that Wesley could've been so active in the church's life yet not know Jesus Christ, I relate to him. 

This is why John Wesley went on to lead a ministry in which he no longer sought to win people to the church but would seek to win people to Christ. Wesley understood that winning people to the church is a fruit of winning people to Christ. Wesley understood that the church's mission is not touching hearts with warm sentimentality but is rooted in leading people to the Savior, who will birth you into eternity, warm your heart with the flame of the Holy Spirit, and fill your life with His peace.

I thank God for my spiritual birthday. But I also thank God for the many spiritual birthdays represented in our faith family and the many spiritual birthdays to come.  

As you gather with family and friends this Advent season, be mindful that our greatest gift is Jesus, who came as the Savior who offers to save you from the consequences of your sin, that He is the Christ (Messiah), He is Lord overall, and all of history will be summed up in Him. Because these things are true, may God fill you with His joy, love, and peace this season and throughout your lifetime!

Merry Christmas, Christ Methodist family!

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:11