Jesus said, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me you might have peace. In the world you shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) The keywords here are in me. Take a quick look at Colossians 1:20 which says “…having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself…”. Something happened that had to be reconciled, what was it?
It was sin. Sin separated us from God. Actually, separated all things from God. The world and everything in it has suffered because of sin. Jesus came to reconcile all things including mankind unto God and to restore peace. That’s why Matthew 5:9 is so important. It’s one of eight blessings from the Sermon on the Mount and says, “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.” If you are a peacemaker, then you are a child of God as is Jesus Christ.
“Peace that works, works by love. We ought to live peaceably with folks. Both sides have forgotten that when the election is over, we need to live together. Right? Don’t be burning each other’s houses down, breaking each other’s stores up and terrorizing folks. When the election’s over, we need to live together as Americans.” said Pastor Josh.
“Notice he (Jesus) didn’t say ‘Blessed are the instigators or the agitators or the pot-stirrers.’ In a broad sense God isn’t interested in me instigating something and starting something. Why would God want that? Or, better question, Why would I want that?” as Pastor Josh continued. “If what I do is out of hate, or strife, desperation or out of devising something—what a mess!”
How hard is it to be a peacemaker?
1. Love somebody in Christ.
2. Pray for them if you can’t love them. You cannot despise someone that you are genuinely praying for.
3. Yield your right. You don’t have to be right every time. Only God is right every time.
Whose approval do you want? God’s or the world? Choose to get God’s approval. We enter this world divorced from God. Opportunities abound for us to be born again in Christ. Jesus is the greatest peacemaker. He has overcome the world. Ephesians 2:13,14 tells us he is our peace. Live peaceably, be a child of God.
It was sin. Sin separated us from God. Actually, separated all things from God. The world and everything in it has suffered because of sin. Jesus came to reconcile all things including mankind unto God and to restore peace. That’s why Matthew 5:9 is so important. It’s one of eight blessings from the Sermon on the Mount and says, “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.” If you are a peacemaker, then you are a child of God as is Jesus Christ.
“Peace that works, works by love. We ought to live peaceably with folks. Both sides have forgotten that when the election is over, we need to live together. Right? Don’t be burning each other’s houses down, breaking each other’s stores up and terrorizing folks. When the election’s over, we need to live together as Americans.” said Pastor Josh.
“Notice he (Jesus) didn’t say ‘Blessed are the instigators or the agitators or the pot-stirrers.’ In a broad sense God isn’t interested in me instigating something and starting something. Why would God want that? Or, better question, Why would I want that?” as Pastor Josh continued. “If what I do is out of hate, or strife, desperation or out of devising something—what a mess!”
How hard is it to be a peacemaker?
1. Love somebody in Christ.
2. Pray for them if you can’t love them. You cannot despise someone that you are genuinely praying for.
3. Yield your right. You don’t have to be right every time. Only God is right every time.
Whose approval do you want? God’s or the world? Choose to get God’s approval. We enter this world divorced from God. Opportunities abound for us to be born again in Christ. Jesus is the greatest peacemaker. He has overcome the world. Ephesians 2:13,14 tells us he is our peace. Live peaceably, be a child of God.
