I was inspired today by one of my new favorite bands, Black Stone Cherry. They are incredibly awesome, and I would recommend them to anyone who likes rock and roll.
On their newer album, Folklore and Superstition, there doesn't seem to be a single song I don't like. One in particular stood out to me as I was listening today, however. I'm not sure if what I thought when I heard it is what the songwriter had in mind (if so I would be even more pleased and impressed with this band). In any case, I thought it was pretty cool, and since I haven't blogged in a while (the second chapter is coming slowly), I thought I would type out my thoughts.
I've named this post after the title of the song in question--Peace Is Free. The chorus is a little bit less creative or original compared to some of BSC's others, but it is still pretty much awesome. It goes something like this:
"Don't you bring your sadness down on me
When peace is free
There's a sun up ahead brother, waitin' on me
Can't you see?"
It strikes me, first of all, that peace most certainly does NOT appear to be free. In a world full of sinful people, peace is far from the default, and requires a lot of delicate political and military actions. The fact that times of relative peace have existed anywhere at any time must be attributed to the grace of God. As a general rule, it seems that the only ways in which one nation can exist in peace with the rest of the world are intimidating or overpowering all of its neighbors (aka "carrying a big stick"), or else isolating itself. For better or worse, neither of these tactics works forever. There may be some people out there who believe that such worldly peace is "free," but I'm pretty well convinced that this is a delusion.
As desirable as peace in this world may be, there is another kind of peace which we should ultimately be far more concerned about. That peace is the "peace which passes all understanding," peace with God. This peace was inherent in the world God created, but it was shattered by our parents in the garden of Eden. Once it was given up, it carried a hefty price tag. Because God is good, He has no peace with sinners. Once Adan and Eve disobeyed him and abandoned the peace they had, it was beyond their reach. Free? Hardly. All the amassed wealth of the world could not buy it back. It wasn't quite priceless, though.
Man needed peace with God, but only God could afford it. So what did God do? He paid the price in our place. The price was his the life of Jesus Christ--God Himself. As impossible as that is to comprehend, it's true. God died! And he did it for us!
So now what? Is peace still beyond our reach? Well, yes. We did not pay for it, after all, God did. We cannot snatch it out of heaven. But God did not create us, nor die for us in vain. Having paid the full price for peace, He longs to give it to us, and He does so, FREELY! He is like a sower scattering the peace-bearing seeds of the Gospel with reckless abandon. He gladly sends His ministers to bestow and proclaim that peace which He has bought with His blood. Though we cannot (and would not want to, in our fallen state) attain peace with God, He brings it to us in water, bread, and wine, with His Word, which bestows upon us what Christ has earned. There is no need now for us to pay for the sins of our fathers, or for our own. There are no hidden fees. Peace is free.
What does that peace mean for us? It means that we are no more at odds with God and His good will. It means that we need not fear that His wrath will be turned toward us, but that we can expect His gracious gifts to be poured out upon us generously. It means that we can look forward to everlasting life in harmonious accord with God. Nothing could be better.
These things have been proclaimed for all of God's children, who are children by the gift of faith, which clings to these promises and rests in them. They were given to my sister and my niece last week, and on those occasions I was reminded that they were given to me, also. Nothing was required of us, but everything was given. And now our consciences are free. The devil may tempt us to look at our sins and despair, but we can trust that God's Word remains true. I heard it again on Sunday, as my Lord and Savior deigned to make His own body and blood present in His church. According to my sinful flesh, I should have dropped dead right then and there, unworthy even to draw breath in the presence of God. But again His sweet gospel was spoken, when His servant said "The peace of the Lord be with you always." And to that, by faith, I said "Amen." Yes, yes, it shall be so.
Peace is free. I just love the sound of that.
5 comments:
Very nice, Zach. Thoughtful and well-said, and exquisitely evangelical in the truest and very best sense of the word. Thanks.
I'm struck by how much your thoughts here coincide with some of the main points in my sermon this past Sunday. And you weren't even here to hear that one.
Wow that is cool! It's like the Gospel is the same Word of God no matter where it is heard ;-)
Excellent post, Zach. Thanks for the reminders! Love you!
Hey, Zach!
That's awesome!
you thinks you could give me a sample of this band?
I wonder if you're right, if that's what they meant.
I hope so, because if so, that means that they're christians, and that they'll go to heaven someday, doesn't it?
well, anyway, I thought I had something else to say, too, but I can't think of it now.
So, i guess that's all on that subject for now!
Actually, Chica, I learned about the band from Dad, who has both of their CDs ;-). So, if you ask him, I'm sure he'd be willing to play "Peace Is Free" for you!
I like to think that the guys in Black Stone Cherry are Christians, as some of their songs seem to vaguely indicate. It's impossible to tell though, just from listening to their music. Only God knows for sure! Fortunately, however, He's the only one who needs to know ;-)
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