Blessed are the Peacemakers?
The apostle Paul writes,
“Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace
and to mutual edification.”
Romans 14:19.
At the end of your life will people call you a peace maker?
Do you do your best to live at peace with those around you?
Jesus said,
“Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called sons of God.”
Matthew 5:9.
So are you a peacemaker?
Please think about it.
From Ecclesiastes and Romans
"What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun" Ecclesiastes 1:9
"I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind."Ecclesiastes 1:14
"Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.
For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil." Ecclesiastes 12:13,14
The writer of Ecclesiastes looks at all the works a man does and pronounces them meaningless.
I’ve heard it said that there is nothing new under the sun. The only difference between someone in Christ’s day and now, is when we do wrong it ends up on social media. That “modern day sinners”, sin, using high tech devices.
The outcome for the modern day sinner is however the same as it was for sinners since the beginning of time. Spiritual death. Separation from God.
Writing to the Romans the apostle Paul states,
"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. Romans 3:23,24.
Paul also writes,
"That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.
As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame." Romans 10:9-11.
Do you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ?
Please think about it.
A Note from Proverbs
In Proverbs we read,
"Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.
Then you will win favour and a good name
in the sight of God and man."
Proverbs 3:3,4.
Here is a simple question. Do you Love?
Before you answer that question however read the following. It’s the apostle Paul’s definition of Love. It reads,
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails....
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a,13.
Jesus when asked,
"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?"
Jesus replied: " ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'
This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." Matthew 22:36-40.
Now with these scriptures in mind do you truly love?
Take a few moments to think about it.
A rainbow
“I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign
of the covenant between me and the earth.”
Genesis 9:13
I live not far from Niagara falls where a rainbow and quite often two can be seen at the same time.
It has been pointed out to me that out of the maelstrom and fury of the water crashing against the rocks a thing of peaceful beauty is created.
Now most people in the world will never see Niagara falls. But everyone has gone through a storm. All of us I’m sure have seen the rainbow that forms after as the sunlight shines through the clouds.
When I see the rainbow I think of the beauty and peace that God gives us after we have gone through the storms of life. I think of Psalm 23 that reads,
The LORD is my shepherd,
I shall not be in want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
he restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”
Psalm 23
What do you think of when you see a rainbow?
Please think about it.
Love one another
Jesus said,
"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:34,35.
I like this portion of scripture. Jesus here tells us that people will know we are His disciples by our love.
In the book of James we read,
"If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, "Love your neighbour as yourself," you are doing right.
But if you show favouritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.
For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it." James 2:8-10.
We must serve each other in love. It is a commandment from Christ himself.
We should not be showing favouritism. There is no difference between rich and poor Jew and Gentile in Gods eyes. All of us are equal before God.
Furthermore the love we have for our brethren in Christ should not be hidden.
Question: If you consider yourself a Christian. A true follower of Christ Jesus. Do you love the body of believers around you?
Please think about it.
