There are literally many active wars ongoing around the world (and so long after he "is" our peace): in Iraq, in Afghanastan, in Chechney, in Ireland (Propestants vs Catholics), etc. There are also economic wars ongoing, wars over oil, wars over water, spousal wars, political wars, religious wars, etc. The most talked about is Iraq, which has proven peace isn't produced by warfare, nor by more law; for law is the strength of sin, and sin not only condemns all whenever imputed by law, but also has a deadly sting to all, the end of such grace + law being life + death = a dead end... for all since there is no respect of persons with God and a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.
The Bible is crystal clear law imputes sin (Rom 5:13); law worketh wrath (Rom 4:15); and law is the strength of sin which brings forth death (1Cor 15:56; James 1:15). Law is also a ministration of condemnation and a ministration of death (2Cor 3). What law calls for is sacrifice, but feeding it sacrifice does not quench the bottomless pit appetite of beastial law for more war, more vengeance, more dis-ease, and more death.
Hebrews 10 is crystal clear that sacrifice (which is of the law) does not put an end to sin consciousness; only abolition of law does, since law imputes sin, and is the strength of sin.
Hence God, "that God" of this/that Gods (law/grace), "the only wise God" of foolish/wise Gods (law/grace), "the only true God" of false/true Gods (law/grace), "the God of all grace", "the living God" of the living, said: "I will have mercy(grace), and not sacrifice (law)". Such is not something new, but the same in both old and new testaments: Ps 40; Hos 6; Mt 9; Mt 12; Heb 10; etc.
To wit, "that God" was in "Christ" (the end of the law) reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them... (2Cor 5:19).
It's an allegory, and God given victory is "through" Jesus => Christ (through the cross, not getting hung up on the cross), and the Christ thereof is the end of the law.
It's elementary dear watson:
(grace + law) - law = grace = merciful, peaceful
(life + death) - death = life (the eternal sort)
God did not send His Son to condemn(law) the world, but rather that the world through him might be saved from such condemnation and death of law.
The "grace" of our Lord Jesus Christ with you all. Amen.
