What makes for peace? God’s word shares that peace goes along with mutual up-building.
“So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual up-building.” Romans 14:19
How can we exhibit this attitude? On a frosty February afternoon, I saw Canada geese gracefully settling into the stubble of a Colorado wheat field. The creatures were content, blessed with food and harmony within the flock. The land too was blessed, with sparkling white crystals of water. It was a picture of the peace of God, a gift.
“Praise the LORD … he makes peace in your borders; he fills you with the finest of the wheat … he scatters frost like ashes.” Psalm 147:12,14-16.
Insight: God makes peace in our life! It is something to seek from God as a fruit of the spirit.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23
So we should let our requests be made know to God, in everything, with thanksgiving.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
By His grace, the resulting peace guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus who saves us.
“Because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, ‘Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame’ … for everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:11,13
Potential conflicts test our faith. In Jesus, we can be kind, patient and gentle, possibly leading opponents to repentance. Our witness of God’s love and forgiveness may cause God to grant them repentance and enable them to “escape from the snare of the devil.” Such seemingly impossible outcomes are possible by the power of Christ, illustrating His victory over the devil.
“And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.” 2 Timothy 2:24-25
A tendency in our sinful nature is to be angry and quarrel in conflict because of the passions at war within us (James 4:1), leading to bitterness. However, in Christ, we can be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him. Ask “the birds of the heavens, and they will tell you … that the hand of the Lord has done this” (Job 12:7b,9b).
By the hand of the Lord, birds illustrate patience and attention, a lesson.
“Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him … refrain from anger, and forsake wrath … those who wait for the LORD shall inherit the land … and delight themselves in abundant peace.” Psalm 37:7a,8a,9b,11b
Dear God, thank you for the peace of your saving grace in Jesus. Fill us with thanksgiving spilling over with grace towards others. In Jesus’s name, Amen.
