The Gospel of Peace

Recently I have been hearing a lot about being a peacemaker and about finding ways to share the Gospel message. Often when I see and hear others trying share the Gospel, it seems that it has little to do with peace. It seems to have more to do with convincing others, overwhelming them, to change their mind with clever and irresistible arguments.

I long to be able to share the wonderful good news that I am experiencing as one who has received and is receiving the new life that our Father pours out on those who come to Jesus for a new birth. I regularly see new areas to grow and change to become more like Jesus. This is an exciting life, a wonderful life.

As I look around myself I see people everywhere who are satisfied with seeking earthly pleasures or seem content with a religion that is little more than a get out of Hell card and some good works.

Earthly pleasures are expensive and the toys depreciate faster than you can pay them off. In the end you are left with a shiny trinket that no longer gives you any pleasure but you have to maintain it to get anything out of it. Religion for religion’s sake works the same way, sort of. The longer you work it the more meaningless it becomes and then it is drudgery that you must continue because you don’t want to go to Hell.

Today as I think about the people who are trapped in this labyrinth of despair I think of the Jesus words in Matthew 9:36

But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion for them, because they were distressed and scattered, as sheep not having a shepherd.

I have found a life that is full and rich with joy and peace. I long to share it but it seems no one is interested. In my heart I am reminded of what Jesus is saying in Matthew 5:8

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

I am praying for that pure heart that can see the image of the living God in each individual, so that I can speak to that image, or touch that image in some way and draw them to where they can see a better life; a wonderful life.

Wars and Fighting

Do you know where your fights and arguments come from? They come from the selfish desires that make war inside you. You want things, but you don't get them. So, you kill and are jealous of others. But you still cannot get what you want. So, you argue and fight. You don't get what you want because you don't ask God. Or when you ask, you don't receive anything, because the reason you ask is wrong. You only want to use it for your own pleasure.

Does this sound familiar?

How many ways do I try to justify my selfish, self-righteous attitudes?

So many times, I find myself getting angry with religious people who build little kingdoms so they can rule over others and get their living from others. Other times I see business people taking the larger part from the labors of others and I am angered by their greed. Politicians, take extreme wages when most of them are already wealthy, because they want to rule over others.

It is easy to point the finger. All pointing of the finger is just another way of wanting to rule over others.

The first paragraph is a quote from the Easy to Read Version of James 4:1-3. The passage goes on to say that this attitude is the manifestation of our unfaithfulness toward God, and that this love of power and things makes us the enemy of God.

God is a jealous God. You may not like that but it is true. The really good side of that is that He only wants us for our very best. We make ourselves God’s enemy when we make demands and strive to rule over others. God’s greatest desire is to bless us, but he can only bless us according to righteousness. That is why it says,

But He gives more grace. Therefore He says, God resists the proud, but He gives grace to the humble.

James 4:6

It’s something to think about.