Features » Faith

Subscribe

The ABCs of God's Peace

  • Print
  • •
  • •
  • Post a Comment
  • •
  • Favorite
  • •
  • Report an error Report error
    • Thank you for your submission.
      Error report or correction
      Contact name (optional) Contact phone/e-mail (optional)  
      Sending report
    • Close
  • •
  • Brandon Leonard •
  • Originally published October 31, 2008 at 6:24 p.m., updated October 31, 2008 at 6:24 p.m.

Most of us are interested in peace, what it is and how it can be found.

Today I want to share what the Bible reveals as the ABC's of peace - three truths you and I need to know if we are going to experience the peace God promises to all who will come to Him in faith.

Here's the first truth:

Accept the peace God offers. As a matter of fact, the Bible calls God "the God of peace" in Romans 15:33.

And it's clear that, God desires peace with His creation - so much so that He was not content just to live in heaven and let the human race go our own way, so He sent Jesus to offer us the peace that comes from having our sins forgiven and our guilty conscience cleansed.

That's what Christianity is all about. The Gospel of Luke says that Jesus came to "guide our feet into the path of peace." (1:79). In chapter 1:19-20 of the book of Colossians, we are told that Jesus shed His blood on the cross so that you and I could walk at peace with God.

That brings us to a second truth:

If we are going to live in true peace with God, we also need to start building relationships of mutual peace with others.

The apostle Paul wrote to the Christians in Corinth: "I appeal to you . . . that there may be no divisions among you."

What does it mean to have divisions? Well, "di" means two, so division happens when there are two visions or two opinions. So when we lack peace in our heart toward God, it means that we have a vision for our life that God is not in agreement with. When we lack peace in our home, it means there are two competing visions that are in conflict with each other.

Conflict is inevitable in human relationships. But just because there are differences in a relationship doesn't mean there has to be disagreement. You and the other person can take your two ways of looking at things, and put them together to see the picture more completely. Peace doesn't have to mean the absence of differences. It can develop because two loving people learn to see each others perspective.

Here's the third ABC of peace:

We need to commit to following God's way whenever we experience conflict.

And God's way is to face the conflict head-on and resolve it rather than ignoring it and going on our way. You can let conflict make you spiteful and ready for a fight, or you can make the right response by seeking peace. God wants us to care as much about making peace as He does, and to enjoy living reconciled to people as much as He does too. After all, that's what motivated Him to send us His son.

Jim Graff is the Senior Pastor of Faith Family Church in Victoria. www.faithfamilyvictoria.com


Sign Up
CLOSE

  • Print
  • •
  • •
  • Post a Comment
  • •
  • Favorite
  • •
  • Report an error Report error
    • Thank you for your submission.
      Error report or correction
      Contact name (optional) Contact phone/e-mail (optional)  
      Sending report
    • Close
  • •