Be at Peace with Everyone
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February 06, 2011 |
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 "When a man's ways are pleasing to the LORD, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him." (Proverbs 16:7)
There are sayings that go, "A cornered stone meets the mason's chisel," or "The nail that sticks out will get hammered down." It means the one who is unfriendly with others may have problems with many people and cause pain to them. But he who is friendly with others has close fellowship with many people and lives at peace with them. It is easy and comfortable to have fellowship with the latter type of person, and many people are also often found living at peace with him. Why then do so many people fail to be at peace with others? What kinds of blessings will come upon those who are at peace with others?
1. The Significance of Peace
It is recorded in Hebrews 12:14, "Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord," and in Matthew 5:9, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God." Those who are at peace with everyone can be called the children of God and worthy to see the Lord. In this sense, if you pursue peace with all men, you can receive great blessings in spirit and flesh.
Some unbelieving families fail to be at peace with one another even though they try. It's because each of them may have their own thoughts, selfish desires, and mannerisms in life. But if they come to believe in the Lord and live by His Word, amazing changes happen to them. When one member of the family accepts Jesus Christ as his Savior, all the members can be evangelized through his prayer and good deeds. Then, darkness departs from their home and they share conversations of truth. They don't insist on their own opinions anymore, and seek the other's benefit. They come to treat and talk with each other with a heart of humility, embracing, and forgiveness. The former manners of the old 'self' are no longer found in them. When they have gatherings, they talk about the Word of God, sing praises to God and intercede for each other with fasting and prayer whenever they discover problems.
God wishes for His lovely children to make a peaceful family like this and then there will be peace between parents and children and between brothers and sisters. When we are at peace with all men, God's answers come upon us more quickly and everything good will be given us. So, any child of God should pursue peace with all men and make a happy and peaceful family in the Lord.
2. Why Do Discord and Quarrelling Occur?
Our Lord Jesus Christ is the truth. But most people are not taught by Jesus Christ Himself, but grow up in the midst of the teachings of many people. In childhood they are taught by their parents and many teachers from which they establish their opinions, thoughts, knowledge and theories. While reading various books that were written with many different ideas, they are inspired and those ideas are planted in their brains. Because they take in these thoughts, knowledge and theories they see what is appropriate through the environment and the many people around them. Each individual has differences in wisdom, knowledge, ways of thinking, and conscience. If they were the same in everything, they could be in accord. But they cannot be at peace with all men because they are different in everything.
You have to discern between what is right and wrong with the Word of God and become united in the truth. If you change into a man of truth, you can understand and love others and then live at pace with all men. Otherwise, you may live with your own thoughts and theories and have to suffer from continual pains.
3. How to Be at Peace with Everyone
Proverbs 16:7 reads, "When a man's ways are pleasing to the LORD, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him." If you please God, He will make your enemies be at peace with you and solve all your problems. How can you please God?
First of all, you have to long to listen to the Word of God and enjoy worshipping God in spirit and truth. As recorded in Proverbs 8:17, "I love those who love me; and those who diligently seek me will find me," when you enjoy learning the Word of God, attending the services, praying to God, and living by His Word, then you can receive God's love and answers to your prayers.
Next, you have to observe the law of God and sanctify the heart to become a man of truth. It is the most pleasing to God to become a righteous man by throwing away your sins and sanctifying your heart through the obedience to the Word of truth.
In addition, as recorded in Hebrews 11:6, "And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him," you have to act by faith in everything. When you spread the gospel, show good deeds, and act with virtuous generosity by faith, God is pleased and repays you with blessings.
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, before being at peace with everyone, you have to be at peace with God. In order to live at peace with God, you have to accept Jesus Christ, receive the remission of sins, act by the Word of God, diligently pray, and faithfully fulfill your God-given duties. You also have to avoid discord with any servant of God. Being in discord with servants of God who teach you the Word of God and guide you to the kingdom of Heaven is the same as having discord with God.
And then, you have to live at peace with your brothers and sisters in faith, parents, children, spouse, siblings, and neighbors. May you be at pace with everyone so that you can prosper in everything and be qualified to see the Lord, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ I pray!
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