Luke 2:14, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom he is pleased.”

If God is pleased with us, then we have all things. He cannot be pleased apart from faith, because without faith we can't glorify him. Hebrews 11:6, "But without faith it is impossible to please him, for he who comes to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him."

Faith says God is so good as to give the promise of eternal life and fulfill it - that he gives his Son and salvation to sinners, who have no love for God and no ability to choose him. The essence of salvation is God doing everything, and giving it to us freely, so that every good thing about us is grace to his glory!

This gospel ERADICATES the goodness of man and enthrones God to be what Satan says he was not, which is perfect and worthy of obedience [Gen 3:3-5]. It establishes God as worthy of worship, not merely for his power and might, but because of the blessings he gives to sinners!

Oh, dear child of God, praise him. Sit astonished, gazing upon his privileges and his beauty. Worship him in holiness, praise, and thanksgiving. Be utterly contented with him!

First, "glory to God in the highest." This is something he's done! We did not deserve him to send the Son. Nor did we even know it was our greatest need. The JUSTICE OF GOD is high as the heavens, and he demands a sacrifice. The blood of atonement must be his own Son, whom he has given. God must be justified in his grace.

To give the Son is the HIGHEST ACT OF GIVING that we celebrate this Christmas. Luke 2:11, "For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." It is unimaginable generosity to give him to suffer for the sins of others… him whom he loves so much, his eternal Equal… to give us good things, such as heaven instead of hell, and holiness instead of filth and depravity. Oh, God's goodness is beyond comprehension, and "Glory to God in the highest," is what we say!

Secondly, "on earth peace." This peace surpasses understanding. It's God's generosity inside the soul to calm us, soothe us, and give us what the world can never enjoy, which is peace with God and man.

This peace is not performance based, but it's enjoyed as we walk with him. A father doesn't love his son because he's good, but as he obeys, the father shows his good pleasure! God loves us BECAUSE OF CHRIST, but as we trust him, we see goodness shining all over his every decision and deed. We see sufficient grace in troubles, and peace reigns within. We are undisturbed and happy, because our loving Father, with whom we have a permanent relationship, does us good continually, even in chastisement. Hebrews 12:10, For [our earthly fathers] disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness.

We have the peace of forgiveness and subdued sins! We reign, and we conquer. We have peace with our neighbor, so we're not filled with hate and envy. We have peace with our enemies, because we pray for them sincerely, sending long arrows of genuine love, because our own hearts are filled with Christ!

Oh, the blessedness of this peace. It's worth the world and more valuable than anything anyone can give us. Communion with God, fellowship with a clean conscience, and open access in confident prayer are privileges unspeakably great, but seen and felt!

Thirdly, "He is pleased" with us by faith.

Believe the gospel, poor sinner. Believe it, dear saint. You have everything in Christ. You have a Savior! Luke 2:11, "For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord."

You don't need to be something or do something. He'll do it all. Only believe him, trust him, and obey because of it. Abraham BELIEVED so he left for the land of promise [Heb 11:8]. They believed, so they received the impossible [Heb 11:11]. Believing caused them to forsake all [Heb 11:19].

Believing is not doing; it's receiving God's goodness according to His word. It's counting him faithful, who cannot lie. It's recognizing the value of Christ's blood and the free gifts of God!

Oh, if we only believe, we'll see his glory, and our peace will be full!