Wednesday, August 17, 2011

G - BEATITUDES - 7


G- BEATITUDES – 7

Matt.5:9   Who would choose conflict over peace?  Not very many of us if any.  So what is peace?  Our first thought would be the absence of conflict; however, it means much more than that.  Peace has been defined as untroubled, undisturbed, well-being.  Another definition is “everything that makes for man’s highest good.”  “No peace” is described in Job 3:26   Job finally found peace.  The wicked will not be so fortunate.  Isa.48:22   It is sad that some will not experience peace.  Rom.3:17,18   As Jesus wept over Jerusalem, He noted that peace was hidden from them.  Lk.19:42

We have a God of peace.  1 Cor.14:33   The peace of God surpasses all understanding but this peace guards our minds and hearts.  Phil.4:7   As Isaiah was foretelling the coming of the Messiah, Jesus was called the “Prince of Peace.”  Isa.9:6   Many thought he would come with armies to overcome the Romans.  The peace of Jesus is not military.  It is peace that is beyond the earthly.  Peter explained this to the household of Cornelius.  Acts 10:36   Paul further explains this to the Romans.  Rom.14:17,18

Certainly, no peace would indicate conflict.  This is not in accordance with God’s will for us.  We are commanded to be at peace with one another.  Mk.9:50   Paul also exhorts us to make every effort necessary for peace.  Eph.4:3   How much effort do we put forth if our own ideas are not being carried out?  Self has to be set aside along with pride.  A lot depends upon our Christian attitudes.  Rom.12:18; 1 Thess.5:12,13   It becomes so easy to blame the other person for lack of peace.  We don’t answer to God for them but we do answer to God for ourselves. 

It is sometimes necessary for us to make peace.  Perhaps we have to begin the steps of peacemaking.  We can’t wait for the other person to make peace with us.  We initiate the process.  Our desire is to please and glorify God however the other person reacts to our attempts.  Ps.34:14   God will bless our efforts even though we are not always successful at first.  Prov.16:7   Peace in itself is a reward even if we have to forego our desired way.  Prov.17:1

To be a peacemaker requires us to have a peaceful disposition.  Jam.3:14-16   Peace is not promoted with a constantly ruffled disposition.  Consider some of the attributes found in Jam.3:17,18.  A peaceful disposition requires a tremendous effort on our part.  Paul exhorted Timothy in telling him to flee.  2 Tim.2:22-24   Rather than producing righteousness, arguments produce quarrels – not peace. 

A life of peace has many blessings.  Prov.14:30   As we attempt to produce peace in others, joy ensues.  Prov.12:20     The desire of a Christian is to keep from stumbling.  His Word will keep us from doing that and in so doing, we can enjoy a great peace.  Ps.119:165   If we live a life of righteousness, there will be peace and quietness to enjoy.  Isa.32:17   Even sleep is affected by peace.  Ps.4:8   Our hope is in heaven and as we look forward to this hope, we are to be at peace with Him in all diligence.2 Pet.3:13,14   There is a sweet outcome of peace in death.  Isa.57:2


Several commands to be at peace are found in the Scripture.  Let us not regard these as unimportant.  Rom.14:17-19   God will be with us as we live in peace.  2 Cor.13:11   We are to make every effort to obtain and keep peace.  It would be catastrophic to miss the grace of God.  When we let bitterness rise up in our heart, it not only affects us but it affects many around us.  Heb.12:14,15   Peter stresses peace as something we must not only seek but also pursue.  1 Pet.3:11   We are to love others as ourselves.  Meditate on what Paul told the Corinthians.  1 Cor. 13:5   Observing this might help in preserving our peace.

Too often we look at others that we don’t consider peaceful for we are at odds with them.  Take for example Syntyche and Euodia.  These two women of Philippi were at odds with each other.  This was not good for the body of Christ.  Paul urged the Christians to help these two women to be in harmony in the Lord.  Phil.4:2   We need to be gentle in spirit to be a peacemaker.  Phil.4:5  

Jesus wanted us to be of one mind.  This produces peace.  Jhn.14:27   Jesus reminds us that there will be trouble in the world.  If we have that inner peace with God, our possibilities of having peace with our fellowman grows.  We may discern a wrong choice but we don’t cause a battle in the Lord’s church.  The Holy Spirit direct us and gives us the power to overcome trouble.Ps.29:11   Our mind must stay focused on the Lord and not how we have been hurt or a choice with which we did not agree.  Isa.26:3   A part of the fruit of the Spirit is peace.  Gal.5:22   Are we letting ourselves be Spirit-controlled?

Can we suffer a wrong to keep peace in the Lord’s church?  1 Cor.6:7   This question—“Why do ye not rather take wrong?”  It may not be in court but we would surely help as a peacemaker if we weren’t so worried about how we have been wronged.  Think what we have done to our Lord.

Peace can rule in our inner being even though there is turmoil on the outside.  Focus on our Lord and His Word with the hope we have in heaven.  Col.3:15  








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