Together # 17
A Together the Holds Together
A Together the Holds Together
Live Together in Peace
copyright by Dick Wulf, 2018
Bring peace to your Christian fellowships and maintain it. Solve problems without quarreling.
Do not make an issue out of small things.
Isaiah 26:3; 2 Cor 13:11; Romans 14:17-19; Col 3:15; l Thess 5:13: 2 Tim 2:23-24
The kingdom of God is to be peaceful in the midst of this tormented world that is ravaged by the evil of the devil. Inside the kingdom, it is not to be contentious like godless society.
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval. Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.
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Romans 14:17-19
Peacefulness, accompanied by righteousness and joy, is to be more desired than the best food and drink. Ask any of us who grew up in a home greatly lacking in peaceful relationships, and we will tell you that the promise of great food did not make us want to go home.
Most of us know the calm feeling inside when we are with our friends, our spouse, or our family and everyone is getting along and happy with one another. Peace cannot be beat, whether we are involved in a meal or a sport or just hanging out watching television together. Lack of it can ruin anything.
God most likely wants many results from peace among believers. What comes to mind are two things: (1) He wants us to find joy in the ways of His kingdom and (2) He wants the world to notice a stark contrast of His kingdom within a hurtful society with the anguish in that same society without His salvation and grace.
Therefore, we Christians are told to live in peace with one another. Our relationships should be without all of those things that disturb peace: self-centeredness, quarreling, dissension, destructive competition, lying and distrust, superiority, and all the host of other sins.
So, how can we rise above such strong tendencies of our old selves?
Most of us know the calm feeling inside when we are with our friends, our spouse, or our family and everyone is getting along and happy with one another. Peace cannot be beat, whether we are involved in a meal or a sport or just hanging out watching television together. Lack of it can ruin anything.
God most likely wants many results from peace among believers. What comes to mind are two things: (1) He wants us to find joy in the ways of His kingdom and (2) He wants the world to notice a stark contrast of His kingdom within a hurtful society with the anguish in that same society without His salvation and grace.
Therefore, we Christians are told to live in peace with one another. Our relationships should be without all of those things that disturb peace: self-centeredness, quarreling, dissension, destructive competition, lying and distrust, superiority, and all the host of other sins.
So, how can we rise above such strong tendencies of our old selves?
They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain. But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.
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1 Tim 6:4-8
The power to achieve peace in our Christian relationships is simply being contented with what God has given each of us out of his undeserved love (grace) and being extremely satisfied to be conformed to the image of Jesus (sanctification). Accepting that each of us has enough that we do not deserve, even though someone else has more, will bar quarrels and covetousness from our relationships.
What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight.
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James 4:1-2
We also want to be right and sometimes ruin the peace in Christian relationships over disagreements about the faith. It seems we are impatient with letting the Holy Spirit lead others into truth.
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit,
whom the Father will send in my name,
he will teach you all things . . . .
John 14:26
whom the Father will send in my name,
he will teach you all things . . . .
John 14:26
How much peace in the church has been tarnished, even destroyed, by minor doctrinal disagreements? Behind these heated arguments lurks pride. We must learn that the peace within Christian relationships is more important than agreeing on things not essential to salvation, even though necessary for spiritual growth. The Apostles Creed contains the basics of the gospel of Jesus Christ and was drafted centuries ago to bring Christians together and identify those who were not believers in the essentials. We must rely more on the working of the Holy Spirit and prayer than argument and forced theology.
For example, arguing the divinity of Jesus Christ in a group of Christians would not be necessary. But, if a non-Christian was present and disagreeing, argument could occur if the Christians stayed peaceful with each other. Those who do not believe that Jesus was God are not Christians, so peace with them is not absolutely commanded.
However, an unfriendly argument between Christians about predestination is to be avoided by peaceful conversation about the different interpretations of Scripture. Imagine how that would please God. And, imagine how non-Christians would see such peaceful disagreement about such a big issue as just short of miraculous.
For example, arguing the divinity of Jesus Christ in a group of Christians would not be necessary. But, if a non-Christian was present and disagreeing, argument could occur if the Christians stayed peaceful with each other. Those who do not believe that Jesus was God are not Christians, so peace with them is not absolutely commanded.
However, an unfriendly argument between Christians about predestination is to be avoided by peaceful conversation about the different interpretations of Scripture. Imagine how that would please God. And, imagine how non-Christians would see such peaceful disagreement about such a big issue as just short of miraculous.
Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.
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2 Tim 2:23-24
Peace within the fellowship of Christians seems simple at first. But, it can be quite an issue of obedience. We need to help one another keep Christian relationships full of peace.
Peaceful relationships among Christians seem easiest in our organized churches where we are hardly involved with one another beyond being nice. The simplicity of such less-involved relationships just about guarantees safe relationships and peace. But, they do not speak very loudly about the power of Christian love. They do not reflect the Kingdom’s deeper peace that passes understanding.
Peaceful relationships among Christians seem easiest in our organized churches where we are hardly involved with one another beyond being nice. The simplicity of such less-involved relationships just about guarantees safe relationships and peace. But, they do not speak very loudly about the power of Christian love. They do not reflect the Kingdom’s deeper peace that passes understanding.
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding,
will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Phil 4:7
will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Phil 4:7
Such peace in the aisles of church is pleasurable but does little to let us experience that strong peace that significantly glorifies God and builds us up in love. And, “church aisle peace” will not much impress unbelievers who visit church. They will not notice much more peace than they do in the checkout line at the grocery store.
Even so, think of how afraid Christians become when those minimal relationships in the institutional church go awry. Their guard is so down because of almost assured safety that the slightest hiccup in a church relationship can cause them to flee from church fellowship. And, if they have found such superficial relationships in the church building to turn dangerous, imagine how frightened they may become of other more intense Christian relationships.
Therefore, it is very important for churches to build stronger fellowships that go far beyond pleasantries. The key to this kind of strength in fellowship is knowledge and obedience to all those scriptures that tell us what God wants from His people when they are together. The 65 Togethers of Scripture, which categorize these hundreds of Bible verses and passages, must be taught with an expectation that they will be implemented. The Togethers will prevent a lot of the hurt that can happen when believers gather as well as create stronger bonds between church members that will keep them from running away when things do hurt.
But, obedience to the scriptures of the Togethers will challenge simplistic peace because many Togethers are not “playing nice”. Deeper peace comes when relationships require more than pleasantries. Sometimes what God expects is very hard and that is what makes maintaining peace most valuable. The peace of God which passes all understanding and edifies us to higher knowledge of God and His power, as well as the peace that outsiders will marvel at, comes in the midst of differing opinions, conflicting wants and complicated needs.
There is much greater possibility for peaceful relationships to become strained in Christian friendships, Christian families, and Christian marriages. More frequent and personal involvement increases the potential for hurt than within church programs. Fortunately, these relationships are usually too cherished to be destroyed by a lack of peace. But they sure can be damaged and reduced to mere civility with much less love and helpfulness.
Christian friendships are usually both safer and less vulnerable to destruction than Christian families and marriages. They are not at risk because they are much less frequent in communication and activity. Friends do not rely on one another for most tasks of life. Still, great pain can happen in Christian friendships that do not maintain peace as commanded in Scripture. Also, consider that Christian friendships are more in the public eye and lack of peace can dishonor God and tarnish Christian witness to a culture that so needs Christ. Therefore, Christians should be on “high alert” to resolve any unpeacefulness that enters their friendships.
Christian marriages are probably next most vulnerable to the things that mar or ruin peacefulness. Expectations can be reasonable but beyond the spouse’s present capabilities. Or they can be excessively selfish. Christian married couples need to become quite aware of the Togethers to avoid or deal with the many problems sin will create in their relationship. There should not be the high rate of divorce that happens to Christian marriages.
The most vulnerable of God’s fellowships are most likely Christian families. So many activities, outside forces, and cultural temptations on multiple people who relate daily can be a breeding ground for a horde of sins that attack family peace. If the family is to be a place of long-lasting peace, it is imperative that parents and their children are taught the Togethers as strict family expectations.
Add to that the unfortunate reality that families are not led as social units and parenting is done child-by-child instead of in the context and resources of the whole family. This breeds families where everyone is individually out for themselves, creating competition and conflict that breaks the peace of the family regularly.
For all of these gatherings of God’s people, from church and parachurch institutions to friendships, marriages and families, the Togethers taught and applied are necessary for both us and God. We want the peacefulness. And, God wants to be proud of His people.
Even so, think of how afraid Christians become when those minimal relationships in the institutional church go awry. Their guard is so down because of almost assured safety that the slightest hiccup in a church relationship can cause them to flee from church fellowship. And, if they have found such superficial relationships in the church building to turn dangerous, imagine how frightened they may become of other more intense Christian relationships.
Therefore, it is very important for churches to build stronger fellowships that go far beyond pleasantries. The key to this kind of strength in fellowship is knowledge and obedience to all those scriptures that tell us what God wants from His people when they are together. The 65 Togethers of Scripture, which categorize these hundreds of Bible verses and passages, must be taught with an expectation that they will be implemented. The Togethers will prevent a lot of the hurt that can happen when believers gather as well as create stronger bonds between church members that will keep them from running away when things do hurt.
But, obedience to the scriptures of the Togethers will challenge simplistic peace because many Togethers are not “playing nice”. Deeper peace comes when relationships require more than pleasantries. Sometimes what God expects is very hard and that is what makes maintaining peace most valuable. The peace of God which passes all understanding and edifies us to higher knowledge of God and His power, as well as the peace that outsiders will marvel at, comes in the midst of differing opinions, conflicting wants and complicated needs.
There is much greater possibility for peaceful relationships to become strained in Christian friendships, Christian families, and Christian marriages. More frequent and personal involvement increases the potential for hurt than within church programs. Fortunately, these relationships are usually too cherished to be destroyed by a lack of peace. But they sure can be damaged and reduced to mere civility with much less love and helpfulness.
Christian friendships are usually both safer and less vulnerable to destruction than Christian families and marriages. They are not at risk because they are much less frequent in communication and activity. Friends do not rely on one another for most tasks of life. Still, great pain can happen in Christian friendships that do not maintain peace as commanded in Scripture. Also, consider that Christian friendships are more in the public eye and lack of peace can dishonor God and tarnish Christian witness to a culture that so needs Christ. Therefore, Christians should be on “high alert” to resolve any unpeacefulness that enters their friendships.
Christian marriages are probably next most vulnerable to the things that mar or ruin peacefulness. Expectations can be reasonable but beyond the spouse’s present capabilities. Or they can be excessively selfish. Christian married couples need to become quite aware of the Togethers to avoid or deal with the many problems sin will create in their relationship. There should not be the high rate of divorce that happens to Christian marriages.
The most vulnerable of God’s fellowships are most likely Christian families. So many activities, outside forces, and cultural temptations on multiple people who relate daily can be a breeding ground for a horde of sins that attack family peace. If the family is to be a place of long-lasting peace, it is imperative that parents and their children are taught the Togethers as strict family expectations.
Add to that the unfortunate reality that families are not led as social units and parenting is done child-by-child instead of in the context and resources of the whole family. This breeds families where everyone is individually out for themselves, creating competition and conflict that breaks the peace of the family regularly.
For all of these gatherings of God’s people, from church and parachurch institutions to friendships, marriages and families, the Togethers taught and applied are necessary for both us and God. We want the peacefulness. And, God wants to be proud of His people.
Opportunity to Become More and More Like Jesus Christ
Mia has many close Christian friends and relatives that make up her Christian Inner Circle. In each subgroup there are women who are anxious and troubled. Mia has troubles too, but deep in her spirit she is sure of God’s loving oversight and care of all that is happening in her life and the lives of others important to her. Because of this, Mia brings peace anytime she gets together with anyone. She is in this way very much like Jesus, and her friends truly appreciate her calming presence.
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Jesus brought peace with Him when He met with His disciples after the resurrection. “Peace be with you.” was His customary greeting when He miraculously showed up in person. The death and resurrection of Jesus changed everything about Christian fellowship. Peace with God had come. Peace with one another was now possible and expected.
On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!”
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John 20:19
Simply put, whenever we enter any Christian fellowship, we have the opportunity to be like Jesus and bring peace with us.
First, we accept the peace of Jesus.
First, we accept the peace of Jesus.
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.
I do not give to you as the world gives.
Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
John 14:27
I do not give to you as the world gives.
Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
John 14:27
With the peace Jesus gives comes a calm confidence that He is with us.
“And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Matt 28:20
Matt 28:20
Peace can persist because there is no power that can take us out of His hand.
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:
“For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. |
Romans 8:35-39
Sure, we are surrounded by troubles. The peace from Jesus that is beyond full understanding can overpower trouble, hardship, persecution, and fear.
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.
In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33
In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33
If we have listened to Jesus, if we believe that He rose from the dead so that we will also rise from the dead, then, impossible as it seems, we can have peace in a world of trouble. Why, Jesus Himself even brings some of the trouble! And all of the peace with which to face it.
To be like Jesus in bringing peace to the Christian fellowships we attend, especially our Christian families, marriages, and friendships, we need to be absolutely assured of our salvation and life after death with God in heaven. That will give us such internal peace that we are not threatened by disagreements, discord, demands, and whatever else sin will throw at us in our most cherished relationships.
To be like Jesus in bringing peace to the Christian fellowships we attend, especially our Christian families, marriages, and friendships, we need to be absolutely assured of our salvation and life after death with God in heaven. That will give us such internal peace that we are not threatened by disagreements, discord, demands, and whatever else sin will throw at us in our most cherished relationships.
If God is for us, who can be against us?
Romans 8:31
Romans 8:31
So, we come into contact with other Christians not with the attitude, “It doesn’t matter”, but “It isn’t hopeless.” If we are to bring peace into our Christian relationships, it will be founded on trust in God. The first step in bringing peace into our Christian relationships is for us to be full of peace inside ourselves.
Is this easy to do? Hardly. But, is being like Jesus in anything easy? Yet, gloriously we are predestined to become like Jesus, however slowly (Romans 8:29). So, we build our trust in God and His Word, take a deep breath, and enter into communion with one another as peaceful as we can.
It is also important to recognize that Jesus did not bring peace to people by what we usually think living peacefully with one another entails. He did not ensure peace by being polite, politically correct, not talking about religion or politics, and any other such niceties.
We live in a day where peace is maintained, not out of respect for one another and the right to have different views, but by political correctness and avoidance of conversation about anything that might become uncomfortable. Jesus was not this way, so this kind of peace is not to be emulated.
How did Jesus foster peace while challenging his disciples?
First of all, Jesus did not try to force His views on others. He told His view of things, sometimes providing explanations, sometimes backing his views up with miracles, and sometimes telling parables. But, everyone always knew that they were free to make up their own minds and make their own choices.
Is it the need to be accepted that makes us so desperate to have others see the faith in the same way that we do? Jesus did not need to be accepted, and we should seek such a sense of security. In a Bible study we can tell how we interpret something. We may be right. We may be wrong. If we are right and others disagree, it is the Holy Spirit’s job to correct them. We can explain why we so believe, but we do not need to do it with power or argument. The Holy Spirit’s power does not need our contribution. If we differ, we only need to convey that we will hear other people’s views as long as they are not too forceful and then we will allow the Holy Spirit to confirm our view or set us straight.
Power plays seldom work. In fact, they usually cause a person to be more set in his or her ways. So discussing things peacefully and not trying to force others to change works better than arguing and judging. Nothing beats loving patience and adequate explanation in bite sizes.
Furthermore, when things got hostile, Jesus usually withdrew.
Is this easy to do? Hardly. But, is being like Jesus in anything easy? Yet, gloriously we are predestined to become like Jesus, however slowly (Romans 8:29). So, we build our trust in God and His Word, take a deep breath, and enter into communion with one another as peaceful as we can.
It is also important to recognize that Jesus did not bring peace to people by what we usually think living peacefully with one another entails. He did not ensure peace by being polite, politically correct, not talking about religion or politics, and any other such niceties.
We live in a day where peace is maintained, not out of respect for one another and the right to have different views, but by political correctness and avoidance of conversation about anything that might become uncomfortable. Jesus was not this way, so this kind of peace is not to be emulated.
How did Jesus foster peace while challenging his disciples?
First of all, Jesus did not try to force His views on others. He told His view of things, sometimes providing explanations, sometimes backing his views up with miracles, and sometimes telling parables. But, everyone always knew that they were free to make up their own minds and make their own choices.
Is it the need to be accepted that makes us so desperate to have others see the faith in the same way that we do? Jesus did not need to be accepted, and we should seek such a sense of security. In a Bible study we can tell how we interpret something. We may be right. We may be wrong. If we are right and others disagree, it is the Holy Spirit’s job to correct them. We can explain why we so believe, but we do not need to do it with power or argument. The Holy Spirit’s power does not need our contribution. If we differ, we only need to convey that we will hear other people’s views as long as they are not too forceful and then we will allow the Holy Spirit to confirm our view or set us straight.
Power plays seldom work. In fact, they usually cause a person to be more set in his or her ways. So discussing things peacefully and not trying to force others to change works better than arguing and judging. Nothing beats loving patience and adequate explanation in bite sizes.
Furthermore, when things got hostile, Jesus usually withdrew.
All the people in the synagogue were furious when they heard this. They got up, drove him out of the town, and took him to the brow of the hill on which the town was built, in order to throw him off the cliff. But he walked right through the crowd and went on his way.
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Luke 4:28-30
Jesus withdrew, but not with anger. He could have brought lighting bolts down on the people of Nazareth for not liking what He had to say. He didn’t. So, when things get unpeaceful, we can leave without having the last word, making any threat, or delivering an ultimatum. We can just say that we want the relationship to be peaceful and stop talking. Or we can communicate that we will return to the relationship later, hopefully when things can be discussed more lovingly.
Last, Jesus was content with his circumstances. He did not envy those who had more, which included just about everyone. He did not seek status or wealth or anything that God His Father did not provide for Him. As a result, Jesus had an attitude of satisfaction that made others feel relaxed and safe.
We are commanded to live together in peace. This involves bringing peace to our fellowships. When we do so, we are being like our Savior. Like Him, let’s not use power plays, withdraw from stubborn contention, and be content so that others feel we are not out to take something from them.
Opportunity to Worship God
Last, Jesus was content with his circumstances. He did not envy those who had more, which included just about everyone. He did not seek status or wealth or anything that God His Father did not provide for Him. As a result, Jesus had an attitude of satisfaction that made others feel relaxed and safe.
We are commanded to live together in peace. This involves bringing peace to our fellowships. When we do so, we are being like our Savior. Like Him, let’s not use power plays, withdraw from stubborn contention, and be content so that others feel we are not out to take something from them.
Opportunity to Worship God
The Jefferson Family was once full of turmoil because of the temper of Mr. Jefferson, not that Mrs. Jefferson was any example of calm and cool. Everyone had to be constantly on their toes to not do anything to set off Dad’s or Mom’s outbursts. The surprising thing was that at church Mr. and Mrs. Jefferson showed none of this anger.
Then one Sunday’s sermon penetrated Mr. Jefferson’s thinking and he finally understood that God is in control. He had a choice: either accept that God is watching over things and be peaceful inside or keep trying himself to keep everything in control and be stressed and angry most of the time. He chose the former and worked hard at consistently telling himself that things only felt like they were out of hand, but that God would keep disaster from happening. When this change began to take hold, Mrs. Jefferson became worried that her husband was ill, perhaps even dying. The kids warily enjoyed the expanding peacefulness. But, they were still on edge waiting for Dad to go back to his cantankerous ways or Mom to do her usual eruptions. Then, when Dad realized that he was mimicking God’s peacefulness during times when things did not go as planned or mistakes were made, he felt that perhaps his relaxed calmness and trust was a way to worship God. He had always wanted to worship better, but he was a terrible singer and restless during prayer. This peace he was now experiencing was worship and within his grasp. Then, just as God spreads His peace, Dad’s peacefulness began to impact Mom. Mr. Jefferson smiled inside, recognizing that spreading God’s peace to her was an additional way to worship. |
Living peacefully with one another obviously worships God by following His wishes. But, more than that, it reflects back to God His own likeness, even though the peace we offer others is far inferior. God is a God of peace, and when we, too, are people of peace, we praise His very nature by elevating it above our own tendencies to do those things that can disrupt peace.
Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
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Heb 13:20-21
Evil in the universe does not make God unpeaceful or anxious. Therefore, we are also to be at peace in the face of evil. To the extent that we are able to be at peace when attacked or threatened, we reflect God’s nature and it becomes astonishing worship.
Now, this is a tall order – to be peaceful in the face of evil threats or attacks. How on earth can we do that?
The deacon Stephen, Christianity’s first martyr, did it.
Now, this is a tall order – to be peaceful in the face of evil threats or attacks. How on earth can we do that?
The deacon Stephen, Christianity’s first martyr, did it.
When the members of the Sanhedrin heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”
At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep |
Acts 7:54-60
Stephen was full of peace before and while he was being painfully murdered. He entered heaven in his mind and had his eyes on Jesus, taking in the full glory of God. He seemed to know that the worst and the best that could happen was dying.
If we are honest, having this kind of peace seems unattainable, yet marvelous. Perhaps we can help one another in our Christian Inner Circles to look forward to death however it may come. Perhaps with one another’s encouragement we can enjoy peace and safety but not have to have it. Maybe we can commit to one another to weather together with peace any storm the devil throws at us.
Let’s help one another in our closest Christian relationships become unafraid of this world, this life, the devil, and any other thing. In fact, Jesus instructs us to not fear these evil things
If we are honest, having this kind of peace seems unattainable, yet marvelous. Perhaps we can help one another in our Christian Inner Circles to look forward to death however it may come. Perhaps with one another’s encouragement we can enjoy peace and safety but not have to have it. Maybe we can commit to one another to weather together with peace any storm the devil throws at us.
Let’s help one another in our closest Christian relationships become unafraid of this world, this life, the devil, and any other thing. In fact, Jesus instructs us to not fear these evil things
“I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him. Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”
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Luke 12:4-7
These words of Jesus can be a bit confusing. First, He tells his disciples to not fear anything or anyone other than God who can make us utterly miserable. Then, Jesus tells us not to be afraid of God because we are too valuable to Him. It seems that we are being told that if we were to fear anything, it should only be God, but we don’t have to because we are under His protection. We can have peace and should try our best not to be afraid.
You keep him in perfect peace
whose mind is stayed on you,
because he trusts in you.
Isaiah 26:3
whose mind is stayed on you,
because he trusts in you.
Isaiah 26:3
The peace that exists in the organized church when people gather for an hour or more each week glorifies God. But our God is no dummy. He knows that such peace is very easy for His people to accomplish. They are usually not in relationship with one another during church services, so peacefulness is very easy. Rarely do we get into the nitty and gritty of life with one another in the church aisles. Even in Bible studies, most time is spent in learning, not dealing with one another. Even so, the devil will want to bring discord into the simple peace of the organizational church.
This is why it is so important that we apply this command to live in peace with one another to Christian friendships, families and marriages. In these relationships peace takes far more love for God and more difficult obedience. Thus, the peace shown is far more like God and, thus, greater, more costly worship.
Let’s worship God by becoming more like Him in possessing peace so strong that we are not afraid of anything.
How Used in Battle to Defeat Evil and Satan
This is why it is so important that we apply this command to live in peace with one another to Christian friendships, families and marriages. In these relationships peace takes far more love for God and more difficult obedience. Thus, the peace shown is far more like God and, thus, greater, more costly worship.
Let’s worship God by becoming more like Him in possessing peace so strong that we are not afraid of anything.
How Used in Battle to Defeat Evil and Satan
Aunt Bella moved in with Travis and Autumn and their children after a divorce that left her without resources. She was a mess. No job, no money, low self-esteem, you name it. She had no children and because of her alcoholism had been disowned by her parents and tossed out, betrayed, and attacked by her friends. At the moment, her drinking was under control.
Autumn, Travis and the kids were happy to have Aunt Bella move in with them, but they soon found her saying cruel things, especially after a wonderful day with the family. They could not understand how things could turn so bad so quickly with Aunt Bella, so Autumn and Travis met with a psychotherapist recommended by a friend. They learned that their aunt was terrified of becoming close to anyone out of great fear of being rejected and hurt again. The criticism and arguments were meant to keep emotional distance. The closer and happier an activity, the bigger the threat and the more hurtful Aunt Bella’s behavior became. A family meeting was called with Aunt Bella present. Travis and Autumn explained getting advice from a counselor and that Aunt Bella was afraid of getting close to the family and being rejected in some way. The family was asked to figure out what to do about their aunt’s fear of being hurt. Everyone told Aunt Bella they loved her and wanted a longtime wonderful relationship with her. She could be fun. And, she had great ideas. One of the kids announced that she was just not going to pay attention to any of Aunt Bella’s behavior meant to push her away. Everyone else decided to do the same. With a smile, the family then asked Aunt Bella to offend them, say nasty things, and otherwise try to push them away right then and there. This took her by surprise and she began laughing. But, Satan did not like what he was seeing. So, like he did in the Garden of Eden, he suggested to Aunt Bella that no one really could be trusted and reminded her of all the very painful times of the past. However, God fought back by urging the very cute five-year-old great niece to say, “Please let us love you.” It was irresistible and Aunt Bella began to let her guard down for the first time in years. Everyone felt very good at the peace they saw come over Aunt Bella – and that they had won a victory for God. |
In his quest to rob God of glory, Satan works to make the church look more like his evil kingdom, full of lies, deceit, destructive competition and anything else that will ruin the comfort and the witness of the transcendent peace of God’s kingdom. Thus, obeying the command to live in peace together is one way we defeat the devil.
In so many of the letters in the New Testament, the initial greeting addresses both grace and peace. It seems that Paul and the other writers wanted believers in the turbulent times of the beginning church to have God’s undeserved love (grace) and internal peace. While that peace obviously included peace with God, it would also have been important to wish for peace in the midst of persecution by the enemies of early Christianity.
Because of other Bible passages, we also know that there was the danger of trouble within the church. Sometimes the devil is “within the walls”.
In so many of the letters in the New Testament, the initial greeting addresses both grace and peace. It seems that Paul and the other writers wanted believers in the turbulent times of the beginning church to have God’s undeserved love (grace) and internal peace. While that peace obviously included peace with God, it would also have been important to wish for peace in the midst of persecution by the enemies of early Christianity.
Because of other Bible passages, we also know that there was the danger of trouble within the church. Sometimes the devil is “within the walls”.
Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice!
Strive for full restoration, encourage one another,
be of one mind, live in peace.
And the God of love and peace will be with you.
2 Cor 13:11
Strive for full restoration, encourage one another,
be of one mind, live in peace.
And the God of love and peace will be with you.
2 Cor 13:11
Since the kingdom of God is a matter of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (Rom 14:17), we must strive for peace as part of our war against the devil. God is light and there is no darkness in Him (1 John 1:5). So, we do not want in any way to knowingly and purposefully darken his kingdom with discord and dissension and quarreling.
Sometimes in a disagreement about some aspect of our faith we get to arguing, figuring that in doing so we are being righteous. But, if the peace of the fellowship is broken by repeated quarrels, such theological banter has crossed over the line.
Sometimes in a disagreement about some aspect of our faith we get to arguing, figuring that in doing so we are being righteous. But, if the peace of the fellowship is broken by repeated quarrels, such theological banter has crossed over the line.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts,
since as members of one body
you were called to peace.
And be thankful.
since as members of one body
you were called to peace.
And be thankful.
Col 3:15
A principle of professional counseling is to begin where the one you are helping is in his or her thinking and patiently help that person grow healthier through safe relationship and conversation. It is no different with one another as Christians. Sanctification, the process of making us more like Jesus, takes time. That is why confronting disagreements in the faith is best done in the small and more stable relationships of Christian friendships, Christian families, and Christian marriages. There is time in these relationships to go patiently little bit by little bit.
Sanctification by God seems to accelerate in an atmosphere of peace.
Sanctification by God seems to accelerate in an atmosphere of peace.
May God himself, the God of peace,
sanctify you through and through.
1 Thess 5:23
sanctify you through and through.
1 Thess 5:23
Being the God of peace, God works best in peaceful Christian relationships. Satan knows this and does his best to bring discord and interfere with our spiritual growth. Therefore, God wants us to be peacemakers.
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.
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James 3:17-18
We want to bring God’s peace into our relationships so that God can put Satan into his place. It is noteworthy that in this regard of crushing the devil, God’s attribute of peace is highlighted.
The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.
The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.
Romans 16:20
The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.
Romans 16:20
While Satan likes to disrupt the peace that our “God of peace” brings into the organized church, the devil’s primary targets are the smaller expressions of the church. Disrupting Christian friendships, families, and couples is a primary agenda of the devil. This is because these groups can do so much more to glorify God as well as do so much more damage to Satan’s evil schemes.
But think of the ways too many to mention that evil can disrupt the peace of marriages, families, and friendships. Deeper involvement in one another’s lives opens the doors for any number of things that can bring argument and discord. Christian Inner Circles must remember to not let the devil get a foothold in his quest to ruin the peace of God. They must not just be polite with one another, because, then, they will not uncover the most destructive of Satan’s tactics. Think of how tip-toeing around one another has allowed so many marriages to disintegrate and so many families and children to be hurt. No, we must do all of the Togethers, and most of them require more than just being “nice” with one another.
But think of the ways too many to mention that evil can disrupt the peace of marriages, families, and friendships. Deeper involvement in one another’s lives opens the doors for any number of things that can bring argument and discord. Christian Inner Circles must remember to not let the devil get a foothold in his quest to ruin the peace of God. They must not just be polite with one another, because, then, they will not uncover the most destructive of Satan’s tactics. Think of how tip-toeing around one another has allowed so many marriages to disintegrate and so many families and children to be hurt. No, we must do all of the Togethers, and most of them require more than just being “nice” with one another.
“Whoever would love life
and see good daysmust keep their tongue from evil
and their lips from deceitful speech.
They must turn from evil and do good;
they must seek peace and pursue it.
For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous
and his ears are attentive to their prayer,
but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
1 Peter 3:10-12
and see good daysmust keep their tongue from evil
and their lips from deceitful speech.
They must turn from evil and do good;
they must seek peace and pursue it.
For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous
and his ears are attentive to their prayer,
but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
1 Peter 3:10-12
Let’s see good days and have our Lord attentive to our prayers. We must seek and pursue peace so diligently as to defeat the devil in his attempts to disgrace God.
How in the Sinful Environment this Together Prepares Us for Heaven
How in the Sinful Environment this Together Prepares Us for Heaven
Brianna is always yearning for the peace of heaven. She complains of tensions in her marriage and with some of her relatives. Two friends from her small group Bible study, Hannah and Nora, have experienced some of Brianna’s behavior, and it is caustic and ignites controversy and quarrels. They knew they had to do something, but it took a while to get up courage and develop a plan.
The two friends began by building up Brianna’s knowledge that the peace in heaven could be experienced best if she were to foster peace now. When she agreed, they explained how Brianna’s behavior stimulated discord and that it was she who often made things unpeaceful. They even showed how she had disparaged her husband in the Bible study. Then Satan put the thought in Brianna’s mind that Hannah and Nora were making things up. Knowing that the last thing the devil wanted was peace in Brianna’s marriage, others in the Bible study got involved. They pleaded with Brianna to recognize the attack of evil meant to perpetuate lack of peace in Brianna’s relationships. Slowly, Brianna got the picture and changed her thinking and behavior. She and the Bible study group fought the evil one and came out on top. |
In heaven we will live in peace with one another, and we will not be able to do otherwise. So, how will overcoming so many obstacles to living in peace now prepare us for a time when we will not need resolve to do so?
While we cannot prepare to be more peaceful in heaven, the things that have to be done to establish and maintain peace in Christian relationships now prepare us for many aspects of heaven. Overcoming sins that can cause division and lack of peace in Christian relationships will have their own particular benefits in the life to come.
Let’s take overcoming destructive anger as just one of many possible examples. Anger itself is not a sin. God is angry, and He does not sin. More specifically, God is only righteously angry, so if we are righteously angry we are not sinning.
But what we do with that righteous anger can be sinful. If we are angry that a close Christian friend propositioned our wife or husband, righteous anger at that sin is okay as long as it is used as a signal to take biblical action. But, even though anger might be appropriate in that situation, taking the wrong action can be sinful. A man who goes and physically assaults his friend is not guilty of being angry, he is guilty of assault. He can be arrested for it.
Anger’s value is that it is a signal highlighting a problem to be solved. In most cases, once anger points to a problem it is no longer needed and can be dismissed. If most men are like me, there would be a desire to sin and do physical damage to the friend who betrayed trust and acted so inappropriately. We probably would not do it, hopefully because it would be wrong but probably because we would make our lives worse if we went to prison. So, to keep from sinning as well as to save the wasted energy of fantasizing physical damage, we can dismiss the anger once we have listened to its warning of a problem to be addressed. Then we can just get on to pursuing a biblical solution.
Assuming that the wife was insulted by the proposition and told her husband, the husband should be briefly angry to identify the problem as needing immediate attention. Then, letting the anger go, he can begin analyzing the causes of the sin and what needs to be done. Is his friend not getting along with his wife and various friends need to get involved? Perhaps, a marriage counselor is also needed? Is the friend single and lonely and has trouble meeting single Christian women? Does the friend not care enough about people in general to know what is unacceptable behavior? Was the friend a womanizer before accepting Christ and hasn’t dealt with such garbage still harbored in the old self? Each of these situations could have a “game plan” developed to solve the problem at its deeper level. Each solution would require the offended husband and wife to do different things, each producing a different benefit for heaven later.
Now the point is this. In seeking peace by resolving problems identified by anger, we gain something for heaven. The benefits are wide-ranging depending on the problem and what is necessary to effect a solution. Helping a friend who is lonely and cannot find a mate, for example, would strengthen many skills for heaven in the helpers. And for the husband offended by the original sexual advance toward his wife, there would be the preparation for heaven that such selfless forgiveness would bring.
So, you can see that the necessity of keeping peace in Christian relationships can lead to anger, and that the need to control and use that anger can lead to biblical actions that would otherwise not be considered. Those problem-solving behaviors would be valuable in preparing for heaven in some way.
But, anger that is held on to for revenge and destruction is very dangerous to Christian fellowships, especially marriages, families, and friendships. Perhaps that is why it is to be processed and righteously directed before going to sleep.
While we cannot prepare to be more peaceful in heaven, the things that have to be done to establish and maintain peace in Christian relationships now prepare us for many aspects of heaven. Overcoming sins that can cause division and lack of peace in Christian relationships will have their own particular benefits in the life to come.
Let’s take overcoming destructive anger as just one of many possible examples. Anger itself is not a sin. God is angry, and He does not sin. More specifically, God is only righteously angry, so if we are righteously angry we are not sinning.
But what we do with that righteous anger can be sinful. If we are angry that a close Christian friend propositioned our wife or husband, righteous anger at that sin is okay as long as it is used as a signal to take biblical action. But, even though anger might be appropriate in that situation, taking the wrong action can be sinful. A man who goes and physically assaults his friend is not guilty of being angry, he is guilty of assault. He can be arrested for it.
Anger’s value is that it is a signal highlighting a problem to be solved. In most cases, once anger points to a problem it is no longer needed and can be dismissed. If most men are like me, there would be a desire to sin and do physical damage to the friend who betrayed trust and acted so inappropriately. We probably would not do it, hopefully because it would be wrong but probably because we would make our lives worse if we went to prison. So, to keep from sinning as well as to save the wasted energy of fantasizing physical damage, we can dismiss the anger once we have listened to its warning of a problem to be addressed. Then we can just get on to pursuing a biblical solution.
Assuming that the wife was insulted by the proposition and told her husband, the husband should be briefly angry to identify the problem as needing immediate attention. Then, letting the anger go, he can begin analyzing the causes of the sin and what needs to be done. Is his friend not getting along with his wife and various friends need to get involved? Perhaps, a marriage counselor is also needed? Is the friend single and lonely and has trouble meeting single Christian women? Does the friend not care enough about people in general to know what is unacceptable behavior? Was the friend a womanizer before accepting Christ and hasn’t dealt with such garbage still harbored in the old self? Each of these situations could have a “game plan” developed to solve the problem at its deeper level. Each solution would require the offended husband and wife to do different things, each producing a different benefit for heaven later.
Now the point is this. In seeking peace by resolving problems identified by anger, we gain something for heaven. The benefits are wide-ranging depending on the problem and what is necessary to effect a solution. Helping a friend who is lonely and cannot find a mate, for example, would strengthen many skills for heaven in the helpers. And for the husband offended by the original sexual advance toward his wife, there would be the preparation for heaven that such selfless forgiveness would bring.
So, you can see that the necessity of keeping peace in Christian relationships can lead to anger, and that the need to control and use that anger can lead to biblical actions that would otherwise not be considered. Those problem-solving behaviors would be valuable in preparing for heaven in some way.
But, anger that is held on to for revenge and destruction is very dangerous to Christian fellowships, especially marriages, families, and friendships. Perhaps that is why it is to be processed and righteously directed before going to sleep.
“In your anger do not sin”:
Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry,
and do not give the devil a foothold.
Eph 4:26-27
Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry,
and do not give the devil a foothold.
Eph 4:26-27
Rather than dismissing this as great advice and impractically ideal, consider that a possible meaning is that anger is so very destructive in God’s kingdom that it must not linger, at least not after dark. If we drop the anger once it has signaled a problem to be solved, we can pray for God’s solution and protect the peace of our relationships. If another is angry and we need to be a part of the plan for solving the problem the anger highlighted, then we need to be willing to jump into action to preserve the peace. And, if we are the cause of the anger, we also need to participate in solving the problem to safeguard peace.
Therefore, the necessity of living peacefully with one another in our Christian families, marriages and friendships will demand we stretch our spiritual strengths. That spiritual growth will definitely enhance our heavenly experience magnificently.
And then there is the obvious: our appreciation of peace in relationships will increase our appreciation for all things peaceful. A greater enjoyment of the peace of heaven will be felt when we get there. There will be such peace in heaven that we want to anticipate it now and learn to appreciate it more and more.
How this Together Can Make It Really Good in Heaven
Therefore, the necessity of living peacefully with one another in our Christian families, marriages and friendships will demand we stretch our spiritual strengths. That spiritual growth will definitely enhance our heavenly experience magnificently.
And then there is the obvious: our appreciation of peace in relationships will increase our appreciation for all things peaceful. A greater enjoyment of the peace of heaven will be felt when we get there. There will be such peace in heaven that we want to anticipate it now and learn to appreciate it more and more.
How this Together Can Make It Really Good in Heaven
Eternal Songs
The fine sand squishes up between our toes as you and I walk on a beach that may have never been trod. The waves are gentle and soft. In the ShadowLands (Earth as we knew it before it was re-created), the waves might have been described as “soothing”, but there is no need for such a thing anymore. No, the waves are soft. They are peaceful, as is the whole universe except The Terrible Place.
You and I learned the tremendous value and joy of peace back in our small friendship group before death. We sometimes had to work very hard to keep peace with our friends. It taught us to be very much more sensitive to all things that are peace. This planet is peace. Therefore, you and I are thoroughly enjoying this day. Little sand creatures scramble to and fro in front of our footprints. The horizon is a pleasant purplish blue. We can still remember the waves back in The Tainted Life when the sun shone off of the waves, creating ever-changing reflections. Here, all is seen through light that radiates in every direction from The One on the Throne. The waves are crystal clear and transparent, not a drop of pollution in them, not a ray of light reflected from them. A totally different, pure and peaceful vision of water. We are mesmerized. We traveled by wish this morning. Eternal life is so wonderful. You wish and it is granted! Each wish is a righteous prayer to which there is no barrier. We went to the Astronomy Library and chose this planet which spins around a star some 50,000 light-years from The New Jerusalem. We merely asked, “Lord our King, we would like to go to Arkemai.” And here we are. There are no signs of anyone having been here before. There was no such visit logged at the library. And we no longer know mistakes. All of a sudden, we hear a new sound and stop to listen. This is a most marvelous thing. A song is approaching. At first we are aware of a faint sound added to the rhythmic splashing of the waves. Then the song arrives. It is traveling past us. It is just now arriving from the Throne, where it was sung who knows how long ago in eternity. The song is radiant. Once the song begins passing, we can tell that it is (we never say “was” anymore) sung by angels. The sound of the surf is still dominant, but the singing is clear and precise. We can do no other than fall on our knees in praise – so far from the origin of the hymn. Soon, by wishful prayer, maybe we will want to travel 60,000 light-years and listen to it again. |
Peace in heaven will be multi-dimensional, filling everything. We will be able to experience that peace much more comprehensively if we put our hearts now into effecting peace in our fellowships that is deeper than mere niceness. We might think of the peace of heaven in the same way that we know light has different frequencies. Not everyone will be prepared to experience ultra-violet peace.
Furthermore, living together in peace now will bring benefits in heaven too many to mention. Those various gains will come from defeating the different enemies of peace in our relationships. In heaven, we will be happy that we kept the peace in our earthly Christian relationships.
Take for just one example some of the benefits of keeping destructive competition from our Christian relationships.
Rarely can competition between believers be constructive. Perhaps in sports and Bible quiz competitions it can. But, we must be extremely careful about competition in our Christian friendships, Christians families, and especially in our Christian marriages. Much intentional effort must be expended to make sure that everyone understands that they are not superior or inferior to others, and that everyone is equally valuable because of the spilt blood of Jesus Christ.
Even though relationships are close in these smaller, more intimate expressions of the church, it is not always obvious that someone feels poorly about himself or herself. Competition can sinfully expand feelings of superiority or inferiority and peace can be diminished. The peace we must strive for in our Christian relationships must not just be outwardly getting along with one another but also peace inside each of us when we are together.
To combat unrighteous competition will require humility with and ministry to one another that makes everyone feel equally valuable. Affirmation of one another, especially to those who have not yet embraced their clean-ness in Christ or their talents and spiritual gifts for their essential part in the work of Christ in this world, will yield spiritual growth that will enhance heaven. And the cooperation in the friendship, family or marriage will carry on to more joy in working together in heaven where community will rule, not individuality. There the bride of Christ will finally be seen fully integrated, the individual parts blending more perfectly to reveal the bride’s true beauty.
Obviously, each person has superior talents given out of God’s grace. Competition that has a winner and a loser is actually challenging God’s wisdom in giving talents at just the right strength for whatever the Lord wants each person to do. However, mentoring is the answer to eliminating competition. We must recognize one another’s superior talents and either learn from them or teach them, but not to establish winners and losers.
Although totally unfamiliar with the sport, golf might be a model to follow in searching for helpful competition. The concept of handicap allows someone with less skill to win and not make the person who lost feel bad about losing. He or she knows the handicap made it happen.
Imagine the joy of being in heaven and being able to have total peace inside with who you are with strengths and weaknesses, all meant to glorify God. (See my book Find Yourself – Give Yourself for clarification.) Also imagine the peace of not having to worry at all about discord in relationships. The more we value peace now, the more sensitive to it and appreciative of it we will be in heaven.
Opportunity for a Closer Relationship with God through Empathy
Furthermore, living together in peace now will bring benefits in heaven too many to mention. Those various gains will come from defeating the different enemies of peace in our relationships. In heaven, we will be happy that we kept the peace in our earthly Christian relationships.
Take for just one example some of the benefits of keeping destructive competition from our Christian relationships.
Rarely can competition between believers be constructive. Perhaps in sports and Bible quiz competitions it can. But, we must be extremely careful about competition in our Christian friendships, Christians families, and especially in our Christian marriages. Much intentional effort must be expended to make sure that everyone understands that they are not superior or inferior to others, and that everyone is equally valuable because of the spilt blood of Jesus Christ.
Even though relationships are close in these smaller, more intimate expressions of the church, it is not always obvious that someone feels poorly about himself or herself. Competition can sinfully expand feelings of superiority or inferiority and peace can be diminished. The peace we must strive for in our Christian relationships must not just be outwardly getting along with one another but also peace inside each of us when we are together.
To combat unrighteous competition will require humility with and ministry to one another that makes everyone feel equally valuable. Affirmation of one another, especially to those who have not yet embraced their clean-ness in Christ or their talents and spiritual gifts for their essential part in the work of Christ in this world, will yield spiritual growth that will enhance heaven. And the cooperation in the friendship, family or marriage will carry on to more joy in working together in heaven where community will rule, not individuality. There the bride of Christ will finally be seen fully integrated, the individual parts blending more perfectly to reveal the bride’s true beauty.
Obviously, each person has superior talents given out of God’s grace. Competition that has a winner and a loser is actually challenging God’s wisdom in giving talents at just the right strength for whatever the Lord wants each person to do. However, mentoring is the answer to eliminating competition. We must recognize one another’s superior talents and either learn from them or teach them, but not to establish winners and losers.
Although totally unfamiliar with the sport, golf might be a model to follow in searching for helpful competition. The concept of handicap allows someone with less skill to win and not make the person who lost feel bad about losing. He or she knows the handicap made it happen.
Imagine the joy of being in heaven and being able to have total peace inside with who you are with strengths and weaknesses, all meant to glorify God. (See my book Find Yourself – Give Yourself for clarification.) Also imagine the peace of not having to worry at all about discord in relationships. The more we value peace now, the more sensitive to it and appreciative of it we will be in heaven.
Opportunity for a Closer Relationship with God through Empathy
Four very happy citizens of heaven sit at a table in an outdoor café in heaven. One is from the Caucasus Mountains in the 8th century, and one grew up in 1898 Manhattan, New York City. The third is a pygmy from the Congo in Africa who accepted salvation via missionaries in the 19th century and later killed by cannibals. And the fourth was a Chinese duck farmer from the 20th century who had been jailed and tortured for being a house church leader. They are laughing about their strange appearance to one another, clothed so differently from their past cultures. They are enjoying a new kind of tea made from a plant just created by God last month.
Peace inhabits every nook and cranny in heaven. We know this, but we have also been educated about it during orientation meetings when each of us arrived in heaven. I watch the four at the table in the corner of the patio. I listen to their stories of God’s peace in their lives before death. Continual praise rises from their words and makes its way to the One on the Throne and to the Lamb (Rev. 5:13). I perceive differences, some slight and some more, in their sense of God’s presence with them right now, here in heaven. And, to me, it seems these differences match how much of God’s peace they recognized and enjoyed back in their lives before death. But, those who have been chosen for me to meet from different centuries, races, geographical areas, and cultures have just arrived at the table, and we need to get started with our stories of praise. You can’t imagine how exciting this is! |
God is called the God of peace in Scripture. It should be clear that He is purer peace than we are by a great degree. However, the more we become peace, the more communion with God we will have for eternity.
Since peace in heaven will be unchallenged by unpeaceful evils, growth in becoming peace to greater measure has to be now against such opposition. Clearly, ever challenging situations can create peace in our spirits more and more. Hopefully, we can identify situations that in the past would leave us without internal peace and can now be met with more peace because we have seen God deliver peace out of hurt many times in the past.
I remember when I had progressed in trust that God would protect me when a criminal I had sent back to prison with an honest report to his parole officer threatened to kill me. I did not need to threaten back but could act with evidence of peace inside. All of us should be praying to be changed by God so that we can experience peace in more threatening situations.
In heaven where closeness with God will be unhindered by sin as it is now, we will blend with God to the extent that we have grown in peace by valuing it so much that we learned to live at peace in our Christian relationships, especially under the fire of dissension and hurtfulness. We can visualize this by thinking of two overlapping circles, one of them huge to represent God and one quite small representing ourselves. The more we become the peace of God, the more our circle overlaps or enters into the larger circle of the God of peace.
We experience such a thing, let’s call it “blending”, when we have a nephew participating in a sport we once played versus a nephew we love just as much whose interests are completely different. A granddaughter who enjoys sewing has a special unseen closeness in the heart of her grandmother who has loved sewing all of her long life.
Let’s desire to “blend” with God in bringing peace into our Christian relationships. Let’s have a strong sense of oneness with God for all eternity in this area of peace.
Praise and Prayer Regarding this Together
O God of Peace, I want to be like You, having Your peace inside of me and taking it into every one of my Christian relationships.
I and those in my Christian Inner Circle will need Your help to grow our spirits to hunger for peace in all of our Christian relationships. Help us to yield to the work of the Holy Spirit for all of us to give You more glory in the way we work toward peace continually. May we cooperate with the Holy Spirit to make our fellowships peaceful as we try to do those things You want us to do with one another, most of which can be troubled by defensiveness and a lack of peace.
Please help us all to become more like Jesus and bring peace into the most troubled relationships. Like Jesus, empower us through the fruit of the Holy Spirit to destroy the enemies of peace when we see them in Christian fellowships. Give us victory over self-centeredness, quarreling, dissension, destructive competition, lying and distrust, and superiority, and promote that victory to Christians trapped in unpeacefulness.
May our lives worship You more because we honor You by accepting Your peace as given to us by Jesus, a peace that can keep our hearts from being troubled and afraid. Since Jesus has overcome the world and all of its troubles, empower us to reach for that peace that comes from the victory of Jesus. Evil in the world does not make You unpeaceful; help us to be like You in that way, trusting in Your ultimate control over the universe.
Make us strong in Your power to defeat the devil by refusing to respond to his evil challenges with unpeacefulness. Empower us by the might of the Holy Spirit to be peaceful when Satan attacks, resting in Your strength and protection.
Help us all to prepare for the peace of heaven by growing more completely to appreciate peace, strive for peace, and become peacemakers. Then we will be able to enter heaven and feel natural with its peace, recognize its peace as the great gift from You that it is, and be relieved that we no longer have to work so hard to bring peace to troubled relationships.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Ever increasing practice of the Togethers of Scripture will (1) create in you the loving essence of Jesus, (2) give Jesus the kind of love He requested, (3) provide you with the most significant spiritual lifestyle which is attainable only through Christian community, (4) offer significant worship to God by reflecting his own character back to him through your behavior, and (5) bring God’s kingdom to earth as asked for in the Lord’s Prayer. And for heaven, such growing obedience to Scripture now will later (6) qualify you for a more responsible place of service as reward in heaven, and, (7) most important of all, give you greater empathy with God for a closer relationship with Him for all of eternity.
Since peace in heaven will be unchallenged by unpeaceful evils, growth in becoming peace to greater measure has to be now against such opposition. Clearly, ever challenging situations can create peace in our spirits more and more. Hopefully, we can identify situations that in the past would leave us without internal peace and can now be met with more peace because we have seen God deliver peace out of hurt many times in the past.
I remember when I had progressed in trust that God would protect me when a criminal I had sent back to prison with an honest report to his parole officer threatened to kill me. I did not need to threaten back but could act with evidence of peace inside. All of us should be praying to be changed by God so that we can experience peace in more threatening situations.
In heaven where closeness with God will be unhindered by sin as it is now, we will blend with God to the extent that we have grown in peace by valuing it so much that we learned to live at peace in our Christian relationships, especially under the fire of dissension and hurtfulness. We can visualize this by thinking of two overlapping circles, one of them huge to represent God and one quite small representing ourselves. The more we become the peace of God, the more our circle overlaps or enters into the larger circle of the God of peace.
We experience such a thing, let’s call it “blending”, when we have a nephew participating in a sport we once played versus a nephew we love just as much whose interests are completely different. A granddaughter who enjoys sewing has a special unseen closeness in the heart of her grandmother who has loved sewing all of her long life.
Let’s desire to “blend” with God in bringing peace into our Christian relationships. Let’s have a strong sense of oneness with God for all eternity in this area of peace.
Praise and Prayer Regarding this Together
O God of Peace, I want to be like You, having Your peace inside of me and taking it into every one of my Christian relationships.
I and those in my Christian Inner Circle will need Your help to grow our spirits to hunger for peace in all of our Christian relationships. Help us to yield to the work of the Holy Spirit for all of us to give You more glory in the way we work toward peace continually. May we cooperate with the Holy Spirit to make our fellowships peaceful as we try to do those things You want us to do with one another, most of which can be troubled by defensiveness and a lack of peace.
Please help us all to become more like Jesus and bring peace into the most troubled relationships. Like Jesus, empower us through the fruit of the Holy Spirit to destroy the enemies of peace when we see them in Christian fellowships. Give us victory over self-centeredness, quarreling, dissension, destructive competition, lying and distrust, and superiority, and promote that victory to Christians trapped in unpeacefulness.
May our lives worship You more because we honor You by accepting Your peace as given to us by Jesus, a peace that can keep our hearts from being troubled and afraid. Since Jesus has overcome the world and all of its troubles, empower us to reach for that peace that comes from the victory of Jesus. Evil in the world does not make You unpeaceful; help us to be like You in that way, trusting in Your ultimate control over the universe.
Make us strong in Your power to defeat the devil by refusing to respond to his evil challenges with unpeacefulness. Empower us by the might of the Holy Spirit to be peaceful when Satan attacks, resting in Your strength and protection.
Help us all to prepare for the peace of heaven by growing more completely to appreciate peace, strive for peace, and become peacemakers. Then we will be able to enter heaven and feel natural with its peace, recognize its peace as the great gift from You that it is, and be relieved that we no longer have to work so hard to bring peace to troubled relationships.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Ever increasing practice of the Togethers of Scripture will (1) create in you the loving essence of Jesus, (2) give Jesus the kind of love He requested, (3) provide you with the most significant spiritual lifestyle which is attainable only through Christian community, (4) offer significant worship to God by reflecting his own character back to him through your behavior, and (5) bring God’s kingdom to earth as asked for in the Lord’s Prayer. And for heaven, such growing obedience to Scripture now will later (6) qualify you for a more responsible place of service as reward in heaven, and, (7) most important of all, give you greater empathy with God for a closer relationship with Him for all of eternity.