Peace is Not an Option – Yet Conflict?

PEACE IS A GIFT FROM GOD S0…

If peace is a gift from God, why don’t all Christians live in constant peace?  Why do we experience turmoil and conflict?

OUR PART

Peace comes from God. It is a free gift, but just like salvation, people have a part to play. We can choose peace, but it takes action. Ephesians 4:3 teaches Christians to be diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. The previous verse gives instruction on how to cultivate peace, “with humility and gentleness, with patience, showing forbearance to one another in love.” Romans 14:19 instructs Believers to “pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another”. Hebrews 8:11 states “discipline yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.” So peace requires discipline and diligent effort. 

RECONCILIATION

Peace requires compromise, sacrifice and reconciliation. Christians have been reconciled to God through Jesus Christ, and have been given the ministry of reconciliation. Romans 5:10 declares, “while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.” God made a way for enemies to be at peace. We are called to demonstrate that peace to others. 

In 2 Corinthians 5:18, we read, “now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ, and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.”  The phrase, “not counting their trespasses against them” gives insight into how God can be at peace with people. So, His people must practice the same kind of forgiveness. We must let go of offenses against us. Peace requires the kind of forgiveness that sacrifices one’s right to win an argument, hold a grudge, seek revenge for a wrong, and hold onto bitterness. These behaviors rob us of our peace. The Apostle Paul teaches us to “never pay back evil for evil to anyone.  If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. (Romans 12:17-18)

FORGIVENESS

Can you think of a time when you practiced forgiveness? I sure can. At one time, I was at odds with my sister-in-law. She had insulted me cruelly and I was very hurt. I decided to never communicate with her again. Then, my mother invited her to Christmas dinner. After tears and threats, I remembered that I want God to forgive me, so I must forgive others. I welcomed her kindly and treated her like a friend. When she died 6 months later, I had no guilt or regret. God spared me a lifetime of knowing I missed my last chance to forgive her. 

CONCLUSION

Peace is a gift from God. It is only possible through God’s Spirit. It is not human to forgive. But if we want peace we must make the effort. 

Vicki French November 2023. (Scriptures from NASB)