MAKING EVERY EFFORT TO LIVE IN PEACE
Greetings in the name of Jesus:
Every time I hear that we should make every effort to live in peace with one another I tend to think about the world around us and all that is going on right now on a global scale. In Hebrews 12:14-16 the scripture gives us a warning against refusing God through these words: " Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter roots grow up to cause trouble and defile many. See that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son."
This plea is for all of us in this age who are being pelted with sin from every angle by the world around us. Sin blocks out any vision to God, and so if we want to see God at work in our lives we must renounce sin and obey God's word. Psalms 24:3-4 " Who may ascend the hill of God? Who may stand in His Holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false". Holiness is coupled with living in peace, and that means having a right relationship with God which leads to having a right relationship with everyone else as well. Like it or not we must begin to change the world by changing our own heart toward God first.
I think most of us have seen the damage that can be done when we allow a root of bitterness to take hold and to grow within our country; that is also true with believers who allow division to separate us from one another in the faith. We have disagreements within our very blood families, and until we correct those things between us we know how it can separate us even as a family. That is so much more truthful if we do not know one another in the first place. By cutting one another off from fellowship in God's Spirit we cut off the life flowing force that is God's power for us to strengthen our fellow man. This truue in our general lives as well as in our church life. If we treat everyone we meet with the same kindness and respect that we are called to give in the Spirit of God it will become a part of our world. People respond to that kindness and love all through life even if they are not a part of the Kingdom of God. We tend to forget those principals when we are dealing with those who want to be our enemy. Just like smiles or music can change moods so does the character of Christ even if it is not understood.
The ways we live our lives and releate to one another is a great key to transforming the minds and the hearts of those around us. It is my prayer that we can all learn to open that side of our mind and hearts to one another and allow God to do His work through us in His Spirit.
I will be praying for all of you as we go through these difficult times of recovery from these hurricanes. Let God work in and through you as you listen to His voice within you. May you richly bless God through your life in Him.
THE UNWORTHY SERVANT
Every time I hear that we should make every effort to live in peace with one another I tend to think about the world around us and all that is going on right now on a global scale. In Hebrews 12:14-16 the scripture gives us a warning against refusing God through these words: " Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter roots grow up to cause trouble and defile many. See that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son."
This plea is for all of us in this age who are being pelted with sin from every angle by the world around us. Sin blocks out any vision to God, and so if we want to see God at work in our lives we must renounce sin and obey God's word. Psalms 24:3-4 " Who may ascend the hill of God? Who may stand in His Holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false". Holiness is coupled with living in peace, and that means having a right relationship with God which leads to having a right relationship with everyone else as well. Like it or not we must begin to change the world by changing our own heart toward God first.
I think most of us have seen the damage that can be done when we allow a root of bitterness to take hold and to grow within our country; that is also true with believers who allow division to separate us from one another in the faith. We have disagreements within our very blood families, and until we correct those things between us we know how it can separate us even as a family. That is so much more truthful if we do not know one another in the first place. By cutting one another off from fellowship in God's Spirit we cut off the life flowing force that is God's power for us to strengthen our fellow man. This truue in our general lives as well as in our church life. If we treat everyone we meet with the same kindness and respect that we are called to give in the Spirit of God it will become a part of our world. People respond to that kindness and love all through life even if they are not a part of the Kingdom of God. We tend to forget those principals when we are dealing with those who want to be our enemy. Just like smiles or music can change moods so does the character of Christ even if it is not understood.
The ways we live our lives and releate to one another is a great key to transforming the minds and the hearts of those around us. It is my prayer that we can all learn to open that side of our mind and hearts to one another and allow God to do His work through us in His Spirit.I will be praying for all of you as we go through these difficult times of recovery from these hurricanes. Let God work in and through you as you listen to His voice within you. May you richly bless God through your life in Him.
THE UNWORTHY SERVANT
Comments
Post a Comment