FOLLOW PEACE WITH ALL MEN...And experience the joy of the Lord!

 

FOLLOW PEACE WITH ALL MEN

Introduction

The command to follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no eyes shall see the Lord is a specific and clear instruction.  I believe God was answering the cry and prayer of many Saints who do not want to miss heaven.

It goes to emphasize the importance God places on our relationship with our neighbours far and near. In Mathew 5:23-24, the Bible says: 

"Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you,  leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First, be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift".

God values relationships.  He is interested in the way we relate with people around us as well as strangers.  He is also interested in how we treat our enemies, those people that hate us and despitefully use us.  What type of prayers do we pray for them?

Learn to show them love, people of God.  The earlier you begin to treat your enemies well, buy them presents and gifts, and help them when they are in need, the better for you.  Please do not hate them, because when you hate them, your action could hinder God from avenging you.

Forgive them and move on, otherwise, you hinder your own prayer.  Hold not grudge or bitterness against them.  Do you know why?  Their attack did not kill you, you're still alive and with faith in God, you will recover whatever you have lost as a result of their actions.

Know that when you handle your enemies with love, you are handing over their troubles and pains to God, who is the righteous judge.  God loves such an approach because vengeance is the Lord's, not yours. 

God will avenge you, but you have to hold your peace and continue to relate well with that enemy.  You can be assured that the enemy will not over-run you, so relax and give God praise.  Again, apart from God judging your enemy, when you bless your enemies, you will have peace of mind and inner joy, trust me!

Back to the following peace with all men.  You know that you have to be a peaceful man or woman before you can be a peacemaker. A man of peace is himself peaceful, simple and sociable.  Are you one?

In our spiritual journey, there are many things we have to learn, cultivate and adopt as lifestyles.  One of such is loving people and living in peace with them.  This skill or ability will simply transform us from the ordinary to the supernatural.

It will make us God's darling and the Christ Ambassador on earth.  So how do we develop this ability and make it a lifestyle?  The answer is simple.  Determine to live at peace with your neighbours, your colleagues, seniors and juniors.  Then, pursue peace with all men, no matter the situation and circumstances.  

You may ask me whether it is possible.  Yes!  It is possible to pursue peace instead of war.  Whether you will achieve peace is another matter entirely.  It is instructive that our response, whenever there is trouble or disagreement, should be peace!

First of all, peacemaking begins with honesty and godly love.  Do you know how God loves us?  God sees us as children who are weak and do not even know the full weight of our actions.  He does not put our weaknesses to heart, instead looks unto the righteousness of Christ, our Saviour and forgives us again and again until we repent and recognize our wrongdoing.

So, don't expect too much from people, yet trust them to know what is right.  When they do the contrary, forgive them in advance in your heart and seek to make peace with them.  I think a simple illustration will do.  

If someone wrongs you and instead of apologizing become aggressive and wants combat, you just smile and ask why he is furious.  Treat him at that moment like your young son and be patient with him.  You will not fight your son.  If he is older than you, treat him like your father, and you will not fight your father or mother.  

Since this is an introduction to this important topic in the Christian faith, I will give you a simple sketch. So how do you pursue peace with all men?

Consider the following steps.

1. Be patient and practice restraint.

2. Deal with the conflict early, don't postpone or delay it.  Seek early resolution.

3. Control your tongue and consider your choice of words to speak to the person.  No matter the level of offence and the error the person committed, avoid abusive and provocative language.  Be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger (James 1:19).

 4. Recognize that people have weaknesses.

5. Seek peace and pursue it to its logical conclusion. (1 Peter 3:11).

6. Take the step of peace that is obvious to everyone that you are for a peaceful settlement, even when you are the offended party in the case.

7. Forgive your offenders in your heart.  This is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly (1 Peter 2:19).

8. Rejoice - Philippians 4:4 says "Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice" Rejoice in the Lord no matter the circumstances facing you.  Nehemiah 8:10 also states that the joy of the LORD is our strength. This joy is not mere happiness, it is joy despite circumstances (James 1:2), knowing that Jesus will never leave us nor forsake us (Heb. 13:5).

9. Be gentle throughout the time of the conflict.  Remember the scriptures:  Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand -  Philippians 4:5 

The way you respond to circumstances, especially when you are wronged, shows how much of Christ has been formed inside of you. There is nothing wrong with addressing a wrong, but Christians should never retaliate.

10. Remain prayerful while seeking peace.  Philippians 4:6-7 says: "Let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus".

Pouring out your hearts to the Lord in prayer releases all your worries and burdens. It makes room for the peace of God to flood our hearts and minds.

11. Be Honest, set your mind on what is TRUE

CONCLUSION

 

Friends, Jesus is coming soon.  It's the loving-kindness of God that He has kept you alive till now and given you time to hear the gospel. If you have not yet received Him as Lord and Saviour, I plead with you to do it now.  

Today is the day of salvation. Tomorrow could be too late. 

Say this simple prayer: 

Heavenly Father, I come to You in the name of Jesus Christ.

I believe Jesus died for my sins and rose again for my justification. I repent of my sins and ask for forgiveness. I ask Jesus to come into my heart and reign as my Lord and Saviour.   

 

I receive Him by faith and I am born again.

FIRE...