“Finally, brothers and sisters…live in peace”
The last few devotionals have been spent talking about being of one mind. This is closely linked with the topic of today’s devotional, peace. In order to be of one mind we must avoid useless arguments and try to keep the peace. As it says in Ephesians 4: 3, “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace”.
But how can we keep the peace when everyone around us is trying to fight? Like unity, peace comes primarily from God. “LORD, you establish peace for us; all that we have accomplished you have done for us.” (Isaiah 26: 12) If you want peace there is only one way. Seek out God before you try to make peace.
This assumes that you are not doing anything to cause the conflict, of course. To make sure, I suggest before you ask God for peace you should look carefully at yourself to see if you are doing the wrong thing. After all “‘There is no peace,’ says the LORD, ‘for the wicked.’” (Isaiah 48: 22)
Does that mean we have to be perfect? Not at all, we just have to confess our sins and trust in Jesus. He is the prince of peace (Isaiah 9 v6). Why? Because “…he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him…” (Isaiah 53: 5)
This is why “I will listen to what God the LORD says; he promises peace to his people…” (Psalm 85: 8). Even in the most impossible situations, with enemies that demand war, “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you” (Isaiah 26: 3).
Trusting in God is more than just believing what he says, it also means living your life HIS way. “When the LORD takes pleasure in anyone’s way, he causes their enemies to make peace with them.” (Proverbs 16: 7)
But what about those people who oppose the Godly things we do. Do we have to compromise our beliefs so that we can live in peace? Don’t be deceived. Jesus said “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.” (Matthew 10: 34)
His sword was “…the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” (Ephesians 6: 17) Peace should not come because we put down our sword and ignore God’s word. We should desire to live in peace but we should never do it at the expense of righteousness.
If we have these kind of enemies (and if we truly follow Jesus we will) then don’t feel guilty about conflict, rather “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” (Matthew 5: 44) and “…seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” (Jeremiah 29: 7)
This is what Jesus did at the ultimate conflict on the cross. “Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.’” (Luke 23: 24). Pray for those who are not a peace with God this Christmas that they might encounter Jesus, the prince of peace, and in doing so live in the kind of peace that the angels promised at his birth.
God Bless,
Matt.
