“For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.” (Ephesians 2:14-16)
“For He himself is our peace!” Are you feeling anxious or fearful about our nations future? As you watch the news do you wonder where we are going as a people? He Himself is our peace. The news is not our peace. Politics is not our peace. Advocacy groups is not our peace. Christ is our peace. Let the peace of Christ settle you no matter what you see on TV or on the internet.
You have to get this first. Without being at peace in Christ you won’t be able to spread the peace and be peace makers. Be at peace. He is our peace.
Once that is settled within your soul, it is vital for you to be peace makers. Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.” (Matthew 5:9) It doesn’t say peace keepers but peace makers. Peace keepers blurs differences. Peace makers sees the differences but knows that we are more in common than we are different. Peace keepers tries to get people to temporarily set aside their differences and peace makers brings people together for prayer and conversation so that we struggle together to understand one another and demonstrate the love of God towards one another which is expressed in these ways, according to the Apostle Paul:
Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right …