A Piece of Peace
9/24/2009 11:35:47 PM
Good Morning. If love is a many splendored thing, then peace is a multi-faceted thing. James 3.18 - Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.


Good Morning.


If love is a many splendored thing, then peace is a multi-faceted thing. James 3.18 - Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness. What is meant by that? Those who cultivate peace--with God and with others--will reap righteousness (the holiness of God) The opposite of the one 'who sows in peace' is the one who is always stirring it up. 'Makes me think of the Peanuts' character, Pigpen; in fact, from a Peanuts website, here is the description of Pigpen: He walks around in a cloud of dust, sprinkling dirt on all he comes in contact with. Hmmm. . .


unknown.jpg Peace. . . a multi-faceted concept. Let's break it down: >>Living at peace with God - Because of what Christ did for us on the cross, we can have peace with God. "Therefore since we have been made right in God's sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us." Romans 5.1 (NLT) 'Love this about being a Christ follower--it is not what we DO to be at peace with our Maker, it is about what He DID for us. Such love, such freedom. . . >>He is our peace - Jesus represented peace in bodily form. . . He still does today. "For He Himself is our peace" Ephesians 2.14 >>We can have the peace of God within us - He offers to give us the only true peace in our inner hearts. What is great is that we have immediate access to this peace--it doesn't have to be channeled by a swami or an auditor or anyone else. . . thank God. "Our hearts are restless until they rest in Thee." St. Augustine Jesus' words in John 14.27 have been life-giving to me: Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. I have written this verse out and given it to many a hurting heart; Jesus' words are so comforting. Then there is this magnificent companion verse in Philippians 4.7 - And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. "God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing. C.S. Lewis >>We should be peacemakers - Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. Matthew 5.9 Most often, we can choose to live in harmony with others. If we watch our words--so they don't provoke, incite or slander. . . if we make things right in the event of misunderstanding. . . if we keep short accounts. . . we are striving to be peacemakers. If we are peacemakers, we will not be easily offended (1 Corinthians 13.5), and will choose to think the best about others, extending the benefit of the doubt.


'You know what? I'm going to stop there. Peace to you, my brothers and sisters. Are you at peace with God? Are you a Pigpen or a peacemaker? Do you have the peace of God in your heart? I pray that you do--if not, pray for yourself... reach out to Him.


Peace I leave with you,

Christine