Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. – Hebrews 12:14 ESV
Do you sometimes wonder whether it is really possible to be at peace with everyone around you? The news recently has been filled with wars, violence, and attacks here and there. It is obvious that peace is lacking between families, neighbours, villages, towns, and nations.
Sadly, even Christians aren’t always at peace with each other. This is why the author of the Book of Hebrews and the Apostle Paul kept emphasising the importance of peace among the brethren. Some are at loggerheads with other church members, members of their families, their neighbours, and colleagues at work.
This shouldn’t be the case for believers because we have the mind of Christ. Jesus, who is the Prince of Peace, wants us to be carriers of His Peace wherever we are – at home, in our neighbourhood, at work or in the church. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” Matthew 5:9 (ESV)
Jesus also emphasised the importance of making peace with others in verses 23 and 24 of Matthew 5 (ESV): “So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.”
The word strive used in today’s verse is defined by one dictionary as “making great effort to achieve or obtain something.” Therefore, maintaining peace is hard work. It will take great effort not to strike back when you have been struck. To hold your tongue, when all you want to do is shout at someone and rebuke them for something they have done wrong. Or to not take revenge on someone else’s child when their parent has hurt your child badly.
“Live in harmony with one another…Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” Romans 12:16-19 (ESV)
The NKJV puts verse 18 like this: “If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.” If you are like me, I bet you jumped on the first statement, “If it is possible…”, justifying what you have tried to do and why you are not at peace with so and so. But if we all look deep down, we will see where the Holy Spirit is showing us a few things that we can still do to improve the situation.
To be carriers of peace, humility is essential just as Christ humbled Himself and made His life a sacrifice to bring peace between man and God.
So, let’s go out this week and be instruments of peace, counteracting and defeating all the works of the enemy.
Stay blessed,
LaraLex
Hills and Valleys 