Peace Makers
“Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God.”
Matthew 5:9
It’s been well said, “Arguments drag out because one is too stubborn to forgive and the other is too proud to apologize. And it’s true! ”I read a meme the other day that said, “You can’t argue with someone who won’t take yes for an answer” and besides laughing out loud I immediately thought of a few people I have known throughout my life. Some people just like to argue for the sake of arguing. The Word of God has much to say about arguing with other people. Our bible’s exhort us to not be that kind of person, and actually takes the exact opposite stance. Romans 12:2 tells us, “If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.” Proverbs 20:3 puts it like this, “It is honorable for a man to stop striving, Since any fool can start a quarrel.”
One of my favorite pastors has a saying, “men will fight to the death for the right to be wrong.” Ouch… that hurts! Of all the ways you and I can shine our lights for Jesus in these volatile days we live in is to seek to be a peace maker which means, be the initiator of peace whenever you can. Pastor Miles McPherson, a man who I greatly admire wrote a book titled, “The Third Option” which teaches us to look for common ground with others. Don’t focus on the differences in our lives as that is easy, anyone can do that. The third option is to look for those areas where we share common ground with others and seek to build from there. If we start at where we don’t agree we are getting off on the wrong foot. Yet, if we begin by listening to one another with the the intended purpose of finding shared interests, eventually we will get to a place where we find we do have things in common, points we can agree. Heres a great reminder I read this morning, “We don’t have to agree to be kind.”
Consider the words of the apostle Paul. Let them be the filter of all we say and do this day!
Romans 12:9-21 teaches us, “Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. Therefore "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
I LOVE YOU!
Matthew 5:9
It’s been well said, “Arguments drag out because one is too stubborn to forgive and the other is too proud to apologize. And it’s true! ”I read a meme the other day that said, “You can’t argue with someone who won’t take yes for an answer” and besides laughing out loud I immediately thought of a few people I have known throughout my life. Some people just like to argue for the sake of arguing. The Word of God has much to say about arguing with other people. Our bible’s exhort us to not be that kind of person, and actually takes the exact opposite stance. Romans 12:2 tells us, “If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.” Proverbs 20:3 puts it like this, “It is honorable for a man to stop striving, Since any fool can start a quarrel.”
One of my favorite pastors has a saying, “men will fight to the death for the right to be wrong.” Ouch… that hurts! Of all the ways you and I can shine our lights for Jesus in these volatile days we live in is to seek to be a peace maker which means, be the initiator of peace whenever you can. Pastor Miles McPherson, a man who I greatly admire wrote a book titled, “The Third Option” which teaches us to look for common ground with others. Don’t focus on the differences in our lives as that is easy, anyone can do that. The third option is to look for those areas where we share common ground with others and seek to build from there. If we start at where we don’t agree we are getting off on the wrong foot. Yet, if we begin by listening to one another with the the intended purpose of finding shared interests, eventually we will get to a place where we find we do have things in common, points we can agree. Heres a great reminder I read this morning, “We don’t have to agree to be kind.”
Consider the words of the apostle Paul. Let them be the filter of all we say and do this day!
Romans 12:9-21 teaches us, “Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. Therefore "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
I LOVE YOU!
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