Peacemakers

Ephesians 4:3 “endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”

Paul wrote in Romans 12, “Be at peace with all men as much as it concerns you.” We live in a world that loves conflict. People love to tell stories about how they told somebody off, and when they tell it, they are most often the heros. We as a culture love movies, reality T.V. shows, and news stories about conflict.

Some of us thrive on conflict. If there is none in our lives, we have to create it because what are we going to do without it? We call them drama queens or kings. Something always has to be going on. It may surprise you that the Bible says contentious behavior is of the flesh. Gal 5:19 tells us, strife, rivalries, dissensions and divisions are all workings of the flesh. Simply put, when when we walk in these things, we are not walking in the Spirit. We could also say, when these things are a part of our daily life, we are walking in the flesh.

The Bible also tells us Jesus is the Prince of Peace. He was beaten on the night that He was arrested for our peace. Also, He has given us a peace that is not as the world gives. It becomes clear that Jesus wants you and I to live our daily lives with His peace. The Bible also says it is better to live on a roof top than in a house with a contentious wife.

We also find you can't be a leader in the church if you are contentious, and Paul notes, the servant of the Lord must not quarrel but in all gentleness correct those in opposition.

Are the storms raging around you? Is there constant contention and strife? This is not the life Jesus wants you to live. Here, we are told to endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. I got thinking about that phrase “bond of peace.” What is it that bonds us together? For sure, it is Jesus. We might have some differences, and yet we still need to seek this bond of peace that is found in Jesus. May the God of all grace and peace, make even your enemies to be at peace with you.

Blessings,

Pastor Robert