Being peaceful is one of the beatitudes of Christ.
Matthew 5:9 "Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God." NJKV
As Christians we should always be seeking to be peaceful, especially if we are trying to walk in the light of Christ. Jesus is and always will be a peacemaker himself. And God is the God of peace (1 Cor. 14:33). We are instructed to be peaceful, not with vengeance, bitterness, wrath, and anger. For all these things destroy the peace we should have in us.
Peace
noun dictionary.com
1.
the normal, nonwarring condition of a nation, group of nations, or the world.
2.
( often initial capital letter ) an agreement or treaty between warring or antagonistic nations, groups,etc., to end hostilities and abstain from further fighting or antagonism: the Peace of Ryswick.
3.
a state of mutual harmony between people or groups, especially in personal relations: Try to live inpeace with your neighbors.
4.
the normal freedom from civil commotion and violence of a community; public order and security: Hewas arrested for being drunk and disturbing the peace.
5.
So, a peacemaker would be one that settles disputes.
cessation of or freedom from any strife or dissension.
Let's look at peace in the scriptures...
- 1 Peter 3:11 "Let him turn away from evil and do good; Let him seek peace and pursue it." NKJV
- Romans 14:19 "Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another" NKJV
Peace is also one of the fruits of the spirit, in which we must not only live in the Spirit, but walk in the Spirit (Gal. 5:19-22).
Romans 12:19 "Beloved do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord." NKJV
It is easy to become angry with someone and feel like you have to seek revenge on to that person. Scripture clearly tells us that it isn't our job to do so, do not seek the vengeance on someone who has wronged you. Rather, forgive them for what they did and realize the the Lord will take care of it, the vengeance is His. Have a peaceful mind, the world we live in is only temporary so there is no point in staying angry and seeking for something that you should not.
Same aspect applies with bitterness, wrath, and anger.
Ephesians 4:31 "Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice."
Sometimes having these emotions inside you can cause harm not only to yourself but to those around you. These emotions break the peace of those that you are surrounded by and with yourself. Most importantly it isn't obeying Gods word, and could potentially cause injury with these emotions taken place. Ephesians 4:26 "Be angry, and do not sin":do not let the sun go down on your wrath". What if you went to bed angry with your spouse without making things right and finding out the next morning they died in their sleep? Or got in a crash going to work? Being angry does no good to anyone.
- God is a God of peace
- Jesus is the Prince of Peace
- Christians are to be peaceful
God is a God of peace
The source of peace is God. This is why we must trust and obey Him so they we may receive and give back peace. And of course, the enemy of peace is Satan and sin. Do not let Satan have his way.
1 Colossians 3:15 "And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful."
Hebrews 12:14 "Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord"
Jesus is the Prince of Peace
Prophecy was made in Isiah 9:6 "For unto us a child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon his shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" NKJV.
Jesus never promoted violence or fought back with violence, not even when he was persecuted. He suffered for us and went through the physical pain that we couldn't even begin to imagine how painful it must have been.He preached to us spiritual peace. Ephesians 2:14-18 “For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.”
The Prince of Peace died for us through His blood so that we may have peace.
Romans 5:1 "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through out Lord Jesus Christ." NKJV
Colossians 1:20 "and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross." NKJV
Christians are to be peaceful
If we are the children of God, we should make great amounts of effort to behave this way.
1 Peter 3:10-11 "For "He would love life And see good days, Let him refrain his tongue from evil, And his lips from speaking deceit. Let him turn away from evil and do good." NKJV
Romans 12:18 "If is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men." NKJV
2 Corinthians 10:3-4 "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapon of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds." NKJV
When we pass away from this world, what would you rather be remembered by?
A person of peace?
Or a person of conflict and vengeance?
*On a side note, I'm beginning my first Christian teen/adult book on "Taking a stand for Him". This will be based on everyday Christian living and how we can take a stand for Him in a world that is becoming against Him. So I would appreciate prayers that I am able to write in truth with this. Thank you!
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