#Peace happens to be the most expensive commodity the world-over; and where there exist an absence of this peace, no meaningful and/or sustainable development can ever become feasible. Let me start at this note by laying emphasis on the fact that; even God’s kingdom is made up of a formidable combo of “Righteousness, Peace and Joy in The Holy Ghost” (Romans 14v17). As such, this goes to tell us that “an individual that has received the fullness of the Redemption package and has been translated from the kingdom of darkness unto the kingdom of God’s dear Son (The Christ) must not just stop at acknowledging himself as having become the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus, but must also come to the full understanding that he has also been made a “Peace maker” (Matt5v9); a Peace-Enforcer; a Fire-Extinguisher; and above all, such an individual must also know that it has become his covenant responsibility to pray for the peace of his abode ( his place of residency; i.e. family, community, state, country, region and world at large) according to Psalms 122v6-9. Virtually “all” of societal issues are hinged on this lack of peace. Is it: • Divorce; absence of peace in a home, • Sickness; absence of peace in the normal metabolic activities of the body systems • Economic Crunch-downs; dis-peace in financial and economic structures globally • Insurgency/Wars; absence of peace between interest groups and nations • Impunity; absence of peace between rival individuals and interest groups…etc. But, the wonderful assurance we have can be found in Isaiah 9v6: We have “An Ambassador of Peace”, Jesus Christ; The Prince of Peace. And only Peace Ambassadors (in the order of Christ Jesus) are qualified to be called “sons (children) of God”. Back to the matter at hand, when The Father (via the Holy Scriptures) was admonishing us in Hebrew 12v14; He is instructing us all to work/strive at living in peace (never trading it out for nothing) with everyone that we find ourselves relating with; as our attitudes (i.e. both verbal and/or non-verbal words; our actions; our thoughts and conducts) can either cause peace to thrive or war to ensue. But, a serious point worthy of note is the …”and holiness” part of the Word. Peace (which is generic of the Hebraic word ‘Shalom’) is a powerful force which means “wellbeing; prosperity, nothing broken, nothing stolen, nothing destroyed”. Therefore, in the place of pursuing, accessing and enforcing this peace, we all must be careful not to make light of this great a gift of salvation which has been wrought in us (His Righteousness in us); via seeking to please men and not Him that has called us unto glory and excellence. Jesus left a ‘token’ for us when He was about to depart in John 14v27: He said; “PEACE I leave with you, My Peace I give unto you……” I believe we all that are redeemed need to go ahead and disburse this peace of mind and heart which we all have freely received unto our ailing world. Everyone gratefully and heartily sharing his as we all thrive to make a full proof of our ministry and calling. Finally, I will like to add at this juncture that there are two kinds of peace (from Scriptures): • The Peace with God and • The peace of God The former is a justifying peace; enjoyed when one is/becomes born-again (Romans 5v1). This is a reconciling peace. The latter is a second dimension of peace; where man’s input is also involved. As this is a sanctifying peace; encompassed in tranquility (relating to that which Jesus left with us). Obedience unto God and His Word is a product of a well-seated/well-rooted peace in the heart of man; as with our own understanding we can never please God; only with/by the peace of God in the heart can we truly please Him. My Earnest Prayer is this: May the peace (which has everything to do with the heart) of God which is by far “greater” than understanding (all that has to do with our intellect, experience and educational prowess) keep and guide our hearts even as we continue to long for more of Him and pursue His purpose in our day to day lives. Amen.
Posted on: Tue, 25 Mar 2014 11:35:13 +0000