Volume 3 Post/Email 14 – Peacemakers
by brian
There are so many people in our neighborhoods lacking peace. Perhaps you find yourself in seasons of your life lacking peace in a situation, or with a person or persons.
Jesus calls us to a life of peace, and peacemaking. We are to take the initiative to resolve matters of conflict. As Christians, we are to pursue peace in our relationships.
In the gospel narratives, Jesus forgives those who offend him. He teaches his disciples to forgive their trespassers. Jesus challenges us to lay down arms and be reconciled with one another.
Jesus teaches us to agape one another in deed and word. He models agape. He is agape.
Finally, the apostle James writes in 3:18 - "Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness."
Individuals, families, and churches reap a harvest of righteousness when they sow peace, instead of discord, and practice peacemaking.
Every community needs peacemakers.
Every congregation needs peacemakers.
Every workplace needs peacemakers.
Every family needs peacemakers.
People everywhere need you and me ... to be a peacemaker.
May God use us to be peacemakers in the lives of those who know us.
-Brian
Volume 3 Post/Email 13 – Peace
by brian
Spiritual peace, or God's peace, is referenced and taught several times in Scripture. But while having some understanding based on these verses, I do not begin to know all there is to know about the depth and measure of peace available to me, and us. And I'm not sure we're supposed to, since Paul once describes it as ultimately "transcending understanding".
But here are a few basics to hold on to and remember:
We can experience peace with God through faith and justification in Christ (Romans 5:1).
Jesus' peace is not like the peace the world offers (John 14:27).
Peace does not mean the absence of troubles (John 16:33).
Finally, Isaiah prophecies about God's peace being offered for the nation who keeps faith. He describes the peace as perfect, or complete, for the one (or ones) who trust in God. This would definitely apply when we are potentially troubled by matters out of our control.
In that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah:
We have a strong city; God makes its salvation its walls and ramparts. Open the gates that the righteous nation may enter, the nation that keeps faith. You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the ROCK eternal. -Isaiah 26:1-4
May God's perfect peace keep you as you trust in the Lord.
-Brian
Volume 3 Post/Email 11 – Anger
by brian
Do you ever find yourself angry because of something or someone?
Ephesians 4:26-27 reads, "In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold."
It is possible to become angry without sinning, but Paul instructs us not to sin, since people generally do while angry. The other two statements and points flow from this instruction.
Anger that is not released is emotionally and spiritually unhealthy, which is why Paul says to lose it before the sun goes down. Furthermore, the devil can gain a foothold in our spiritual castle while we are angry.
In midieval castles, once the enemy broke through and gained a foothold, it was only a matter of a short period of time before they worked their way up and gained a stronghold.
Anger is toxic! The habit of harboring feelings of anger is not only a physically unhealthy lifestyle, but also a spiritually unhealthy one.
James writes that we are to be slow to become angry, because man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires (1:19-20).
Sometimes we think we are righteous when angry. We can always attempt to justify our anger, but being quick to become angry is to live a life contrary to God's desire for us.
Wherever you find yourself in this matter, understand that God grants us the spiritual resources to live a life of shalom, or peace. God's peace is a blessing, and fruit, he wants to grant and produce in our lives.
(The next post will more deeply examine various Scriptures and thoughts on peace. I also intend to dedicate a post or two on the application of being peacemakers.)
-Brian