Those who make peace

As I have written before, I'm doing lots of reading these days in things related to prayer and meditation. Those disciplines, not unrelated, are what God has given us all to enable us to experience the, "peace that passes all understanding."

We all know that we live in a society that mitigates against peace. Turn on the radio or television talk shows and you will be instantly in a combat zone. Indeed, even the afternoon shows designed especially for women have become more and more contentious. That kind of attitude and approach to people isn't lost on any of us. Insidiously, we find ourselves driven to act like what we see. Though we say we aren't descended from monkeys, we behave as if we are: monkey see, monkey do.

James makes a most profound statement when he says, "Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace." (James 3.18) This is in line with what Paul says repeatedly in his epistles, like he says to the church at Colossae: "And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful." (Col. 3.16)

The only way this will ever happen is when we truly have lives that issue forth from the Spirit as opposed to the flesh. The flesh will always be at war. Approaching others from the flesh, we will find ourselves overlaying on others our own fears, feelings, struggles and hang-ups, feeling quite self-righteous about attacking in others that which we despise in ourselves. How much better to do it God's way, to let his peace rule in our hearts AND our relationships, to produce the fruit of righteousness God's way, by making peace. Interesting that in his very first sermon Jesus said, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God."
(Mt. 5.9)

The more we live in the pocket of God's peace, the less stress we experience in our lives. The less stress we experience, the healthier we will be. Amazing what happens when we live life God's way!

Blessings,

Bill