*Last night I was reading James 3 and this verse jumped out at me: And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace. Perhaps it was because earlier in the day I had seen a post on social media about being peacemakers not peacekeepers and was hanging out in the back of mind. In thinking about it I realized that the church I grew up in was more about being peace- keepers instead of peace-makers. *One of my first questions was: are there Bible characters who were peace-makers?
~Jesus. He died on the cross as the supreme sacrifice to reconcile us back to God. Remember the woman caught in adultery that escaped a stoning?
~ Joseph. Despite the way his brothers treated him, he still loved them. When their father died his brothers were afraid he'd kill them for what they did to him but instead he reassured them of his love for them and that they don't need to be afraid.
~Jonathan. He sought to bring peace to the relationship of his jealous dad and talented David.
~Paul. He was a bold writer and before conversion a persecutor. But when God changed his life he sought peace by how he confronted Peter about his rejection of the Gentiles and his attitude toward those who tried to harm him.
*Another question that came to mind was: if I have only been a peace-keeper this far, how can I know become a peace-maker?
~Hebrews 12:14-15 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;
~2 Corinthians 13:11 Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.
~James 3:13-17 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdo
m descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
*These are just some verses on the subject, but some ideas I had were:
~if we see abuse,to do what we can to get help to both parties.
~speak up against things that aren't in line with Scripture such as abortion and trafficking and do what we can to help.
~meet needs we see rather than just passively hoping that someone else can better meet the need or thinking that we shouldn't get involved.
~raise awareness of false teachings and teachers so that perhaps we may be able to keep others from falling prey.
~be in the Word, studying, so that when the opportunity presents itself we will have answeres for questions, and if we don't know, we can still say let me find out and I'll get back to you.
~do our best to value those around us no matter how difficult they may be. I personally have been greatly encouraged when I realized that someone else has more respect and confidence for me than I have of myself.
* My question to myself this morning is, how can I make peace today rather than just keep peace(being passive)? Maybe you would like to ask yourself that question too...
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