God's Word, The Path to Life: Peace 11-1-2020

In the news recently are all sorts of reports of people who have decided that it is better to fight and break off relationships with spouses, friends, and relatives, that it is to work to maintain a relationship with those that disagree with them politically. One woman, famously, even told of the way she badgered her dying father to change his vote in this presidential election, rather than just spending time with him, and helping him to prepare for and accept his own impending death.

 

Anybody here like that? You would rather fight with your friends, or end long-term relationships with others, simply because they disagree with your politics?

 

Have we lost our minds? There is not much peace here right now, even in the Church. Unfortunately, it seems that even the shed blood of Jesus is not enough to help us!

 

When we talk about God’s Word providing us with a guide to help us find a “path to life,” one of those essentials is peace.

 

What we can learn from God’s Word today is that:

 

A life of faith in God can lead us to a sense of peace in this life.

 

Religion by itself is no guarantee of anything in this life – but when we place our faith in God, through Jesus, God can help us develop a way of living, and thinking, that can lead to peace: peace of mind, and peace in this life.

 

READ Ephesians 2:13-16

 

In the early church there was a huge problem that threatened to destroy the ability of the Church to function. There were Jewish Christians, and non-Jewish Christians; and they tended to reject and distrust each other! Jewish Christians held on to their Jewish heritage, and felt ‘superior’ to anyone else, and non-Jewish Christians resented the idea that they were somehow inferior because they did not have a Jewish background. This was more than just a ‘preacher argument’ – it was “fighting words” to those involved! There were arguments, divisions, and the churches were threatened by the sense that there was no way the two groups could get along!

To this, Paul responded.

 

Peace in the Church

 

1. Gentiles “brought near” by the blood of Christ. (v.13) Whatever “advantage” the Jews had over the Gentiles because of their religious background was gone – the “blood of Christ” had washed that advantage away! The problem in all our hearts, and all our relationships, is the problem of sin! Selfishness; impatience and intolerance; arrogance and the rejection of others’ place in life – these are all problems of our own sinful natures – and only Jesus can fix these things!

 

2. Lasting peace is based on Jesus. (v.14) Jesus “broke down” the barrier of the dividing wall. Not politics; not slick talk or deceptive practices; only Jesus. Lasting peace can be had, because it is based upon the character and grace of God! All other bases for peace will fail – only Jesus at work can change our natures, give us grace, and help us have and share the grace essential to have lasting peace.

 

3. all can be united in the Church. (v.16) “might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross.” In The Church – the body of Christ – there is the possibility of peace! All the differences that challenge us and separate us – political, gender and nation and race – can be dismantled in The Church, as we follow Jesus together, and we allow him to change our hearts and minds together, and as we allow God to work His will in us and we serve Him together – then there will be peace. (5 times in NT the phrase “of one accord” is used to describe Christ’s followers united in service through faith; Acts 1:14, 2:1, 2:46, 5:12; Philippians 2:2)

 

Living as Paul challenged the early Christians to live was not easy – but through Jesus it can be done! God’s work, and our faithfulness to His call to the Christian life, can make it possible!

 

Here are a few things we can do to help bring peace into our lives, and the lives of others:

 

a) Make the choice to love and accept others.

 

b) Practice patience and kindness, determined by your obedience to Jesus! (Not others’ actions)

 

c) Control your emotional responses. Don’t let your feelings about an issue lead you to violate the Spirit of Christ within you. Avoid the cheap shot, or trap questions, or the rolled eyes. Just accept that some disagree with you!

 

d) Pray.

 

“Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord. Who is the man who desires life, And loves length of days that he may see good? Keep your tongue from evil, And your lips from speaking deceit. Depart from evil, and do good; Seek peace, and pursue it.” Psalms 34:11-14

 

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Thank you for listening. We will see you next week.