Being at peace with the un-peaceable

our time in a village in Zambia. A relationship
with the Pastor and family which blessed us

Relationships are either a blessing or a curse. They will make or break one’s heart. The Bible is a relationship manual as well as many other things. It tells you about having a relationship with God (previous blog plus one) and being happy in yourself (previous blog). It also give good advice on how to relate to those I’ll call ‘the un-peaceable!’

Unless you are a hermit (even then you have to live with yourself) you will know various depths of relationships. We cannot escape from relationships with family, friends, workmates and acquaintances. Each one is detailed within Scripture. The one(s) I’m writing about deal more with friends and acquaintances. Family peace is for another blog.

We all have our histories, hurts and habits and unless we enjoy being at peace with God and ourselves they will infect our relationships. Herein is our difficulty. We might be at peace yet we will be mixing and mingling with many who are not. The results of these relationships will vary from the thankless to the traumatic, from frustration to failure and from exploited to exhilarating. Being a Christian also opens us up to being nice to the nasty which, without wisdom, can scar our own spiritual outlook.

Jesus took relationships seriously, easily seen as you read the Gospels. His manner with people sets us some guidelines which will safeguard our heart and faith. Jesus talked about wolves in sheep clothing who seek an intimacy for ulterior motives. It results in the sheep being devoured (Matthew 7:15). But then it seems strange to read in Matthew 10:16 that Jesus said to His disciples: “See, I’m sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves.” In effect Jesus was putting the ‘sheep’ in charge of the relationship. The aim, to convert wolves into sheep. But He added, be wise as serpents, harmless as doves and ‘beware of them’ (the wolves). Whilst the Bible highlights religious wolves there are many other wild dogs such as sexual and financial predators.

Notice, however, how Jesus treated His relationship with Judas. The betrayer was treated with genuine affection and was warned about what he was going to do. The same applied to Peter who also betrayed his Lord. What should they teach us when someone lets us down or breaks a trust? The prayer of Jesus on the cross covered them both. We know Peter repented with a broken heart. Judas? We can forgive. We can offer new beginnings. We will need to still be alert until they prove themselves to be trustworthy once again.

Romans 12:18: If it is possible, so far as it depends upon you, live peaceably with all.’ Did you notice the ‘rider’? What should you do when you do your best, pray a lot, be gracious only to be confronted by a ‘un-peaceable’ person? Steer clear. Keep out of the person’s way. Move under his/her ‘radar. Don’t stop praying for him/her but avoidance is wisdom as well as good for your spiritual sanity.

1 Corinthians 15:33: ‘Do not be deceived: Bad company ruins good morals.’ This may your story or mine. It isn’t the end, fortunately, for the Lord has the power to deliver and forgive. Many though take this warning lightly regarding relationships and end up in a moral, mental and miserable mess. Again, our responsibility is to share the knowledge of God’s grace with such ‘bad company.’ We are told to do it with a sober and right mind being right with God. That will have an effect upon the ‘bad company’ one way or another.

1 John 1:7 ‘if we walk in the light as he himself (Jesus) is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.’ Here is the secret, if one was needed, to being at peace with others. It comes from an ongoing relationship with Jesus which empowers us to be merciful, understanding, gracious and forbearing with one another. It is the foundation for accepting cultural diversity sanctified by commitment to Christ Jesus, Ephesians 2:13-21.

I’m always saddened when I read of Christians being ‘at war’ with one another, split apart or ‘rock-throwers.’ Being ‘un-peaceable’ is actually a testimony to one or both not walking in the fellowship of light with Jesus as their Lord. The One we call the Prince of Peace is unable to bless such individuals, groups or congregations. All that can change the moment any of us who are playing in the ‘fields of moral or spiritual greyness or blackness.’ It happens when we lift up our ‘eyes with faith and sincerity’ to Jesus and ask for mercy. The proof our genuineness will be seen in in how we then related to those with whom and to whom we have been ‘un-peaceable!’

 

©Ray Hawkins March 23 2015.

Next week: The Paradox of Prayer.

Bullying's Antidote

Bullying has taken on new dimensions through Social Media. Some of the results have been deadly especially to the young and vulnerable. Reports indicate that this attitude has increased substantially in recent years. At the moment Governments are establishing commissions and committees to see why it is increasing and what can be done.

However in the context of global conflicts and the loss of a moral compass about what is right and what is wrong, should we be surprised? With young and old captured by the electronic world of violent games why be surprised by similar behaviour. When children are spectators to their mother being assaulted by her husband what lessons are being taught? Even those who have a religious tendency don’t seem immune from perpetrating acts of violence, deceit and oppression.

In Australia the Islamists appear on the news insisting their religion is one of peace. With the backdrop of Syria and a host of other countries such words are a sad and unfunny joke. Some like the Buddhists try and sidestep violence by renouncing desire. The problem is passion and pain are on the ‘doorstep’ when they come out of yoga or meditation. Christians cannot claim any moral high ground. Church history can be a record of Denominational blood letting. Is there any hope for our world of violence?

In essence the problem is personal. When there isn’t any inner peace there will always be relational turmoil. In the bible book of James is the following quote. ‘Those conflicts and disputes among you, where do they come from? Do they not come from your cravings that are at war within you? You want something and do not have it; so you commit murder. And you covet something and cannot obtain it; so you engage in disputes and conflicts.’ (James 4:1–2) Multiply this by what ever number add into the mix national vested interests and racial divides and we soon enter various ‘war zones.’

There isn’t any doubt individuals and nations want peace. However they want it their way. The Lord has given Governments authority to rule according to law. Unfortunately the human heart is devious and seeks to circumvent or overthrow such well intentioned laws. The bible says there will be peace talks and calls for peace, but sudden destruction always crashes the ‘peace party.’ Because the human heart is so devious and corrupt before peace can reign the heart must experience a great big makeover. How can this take place. In reality there are two options. One is highlighted by Islam, especially by the extreme expressions of Islam such as Hezbollah. Imposing Sharia law, restricting the rights of women and adhering to the teachings of Imans from the Koran is their solution. All right if you are a male without any emotional capacity for the well being and education of your wife and daughters.

The other option is promoted by the Christian Faith. It seeks to work from within the mind and heart of a person. The teachings of Jesus Christ are designed to dominate the human nature with His love, grace and mercy. Jesus is the Prince of Peace and offers this quality of life to His disciples. Notice, Jesus is not a pacifist! His peace comes at the point of the sword, not to the body but to the heart. His sword is actually the cut and thrust of His teaching which aims to cut away ungodliness and replace it with righteousness. It is when a person is at peace with God through yielding to His Son, Jesus, that the person is able to control his or her tendencies for bullying and abuse.



The bible is God's directory to peace.



For inner peace to penetrate a believer’s realm of influence the Lord has supplied His Holy Spirit and the holy scriptures. Neglect these and peace is squashed by selfish obsessions. Walk in step with Christ’s gifts and you will bless others with peace. There is much, much more on this subject from Christ’s perspective. Secure a bible and a concordance and go on a journey of discovering the peace which passes all our understanding.

When Angels Sang

Luke 2:8-14.

Angels play an important role within the bible. They are warriors, messengers and ministers on behalf of God’s people. Within the Christmas story they have a most pleasant role to play. They are the first Christmas choir. They have the pleasure of declaring the intent of the birth of Jesus at Bethlehem.



An angel in a modern church play.



‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!’ is their refrain. We love to read it. We become sentimental over it. However do we have any idea as to what it means?

In what way can we understand ‘Glory to God’ in the birth of Jesus in a peasant’s house? This baby was worshipped at birth, declared king and recognised as Emmanuel (God with us). He also grew up and claimed that His Father and He were one, therefore inferring He is God. This really did cause a lot of commotion with the people. All that being true in what way could the song of the angel’s be about bringing glory to God.

Think about it. Surely this is a most humbling event for the Creator of the Universe. The holy One coming to mix with the fallen and unholy ones. Eternity put on humanity’s dust. The judge of the whole world coming to take upon Himself the condemnation of Heaven against earth’s wickedness. This Jesus was coming to be despised, rejected, spat upon and crucified. Where is the glory in that?



Devotional about the Christmas Baby.



Stranger still is the climatic words of Jesus thirty three years later. ‘Now is my Father glorified.’(John 13:31). How could this be for Jesus was about to face His crucifixion. The glory of Christmas was wrapped up in the horror of Calvary. How? Because through all of this Jesus became the Redeemer of believers, the conqueror of death, the dethroner of the Devil and the destroyer of his kingdom and power. Through Jesus being willing to be made the lowest of the low He has received a Name above every name. How? Through his resurrection! Before Him every knee will bow and every tongue confess He is Lord. This is part of how it was possible for glory to be proclaimed over the birth of the warrior Baby of Bethlehem.

What would be the result of this glory? ‘Peace on earth to those whom He favours.’ If Christmas was to simply bring ‘peace’ then it has failed and failed miserably. Bethlehem could not be the foundation for peace. It was a stepping stone! There were other stones also on the way to creating the presence of peace for people to know in time and eternity. But peace required the destruction of that which prevented or polluted peace. That is why the cross of Christ Jesus is so important. It was there that the penalty of breaking God’s laws was paid. It was there that the corruption of the human heart could be purged and controlled. It was there that the Christmas promise of peace was made possible.

Why then do so many who will sing about peace around this season not enjoy it? Mainly due to their failure to be favoured. How can you be favoured and enjoy the promised peace? Not by singing about a babe in the manger or the man of Nazareth. It is by knowing about the reason for the cross, the wonder of the resurrection and claiming Jesus as Lord and Saviour. He is the Prince of Peace and without Him no person will ever know the truth of the angel’s song.

One day, long promised, this earth will experience the culmination of Christmas and Calvary. This will be when Jesus Christ will reign as the King of the World from Jerusalem. Then the Kingdom of God will bring peace on earth. That is a day we long for!