DRAWING NEAR
April 23
Hindrances to Peace
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of
God" (Matt. 5:9).
Just as righteousness and truth are the noble companions of peace, so
sin and falsehood are its great hindrances. The prophet Jeremiah
said, "The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately
[evil]; who can understand it?" (Jer. 17:9). Jesus said, "Out of the
heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts,
murders, adulteries, deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as
deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride and foolishness. All these
evil things proceed from within and defile the man" (Mark 7:21-23).
People with sinful hearts create a sinful society that resists true
peace. Ironically, many who talk of peace will also pay huge sums of
money to watch two men beat the daylights out of each other in a
boxing ring! Our society's heroes tend to be the macho, hard-nosed,
tough guys. Our heroines tend to be free-spirited women who lead
marches and stir up contention. Psychologists and psychiatrists tell
us to stand up for our rights and get everything we can for
ourselves. That breeds strife and conditions people to reject the
peace of the gospel.
Beyond that, the unbelieving world has never tolerated God's
peacemakers. Christ Himself often met with violent resistance. His
accusers said, "He stirs up the people" (Luke 23:5). Paul's preaching
frequently created conflict as well. He spent much time under house
arrest and in filthy Roman prisons. On one occasion his enemies
described him as "a real pest . . . who stirs up dissension among all
the Jews throughout the world" (Acts 24:5).
All who proclaim the gospel will eventually meet with opposition
because sin and falsehood have blinded people's hearts to true peace.
That's why Paul warned us that all who desire to be godly will suffer
persecution (2 Tim. 3:12). You can avoid strife by remaining silent
about the Lord, but a faithful peacemaker is willing to speak the
truth regardless of the consequences. Let that be true of you.
Suggestions for Prayer:
Thank God for Christ, who is the solution for the world's
problem of sin and falsehood. Follow Paul's example by praying
for boldness to proclaim God's truth at every opportunity (Eph.
6:19).
For Further Study:
Read Matthew 10:16-25, noting the kind of reception the disciples
were to expect from unbelievers.
Drawing Near, Copyright c 1993 John F. MacArthur, Jr.
All rights reserved. Used by permission.
http://www.gty.org
~~~
Acts 24:5 (NKJV)
5 "For we have found this man a plague, a creator of dissension
among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect
of the Nazarenes.
2 Timothy 3:12
12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer
persecution.
Ephesians 6:19
19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my
mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel,
Matthew 10:16-25
16 "Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves.
Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.
17 "But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and
scourge you in their synagogues.
18 "You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a
testimony to them and to the Gentiles.
19 "But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you
should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you
should speak;
20 "for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who
speaks in you.
21 "Now brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his
child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be
put to death.
22 "And you will be hated by all for My name's sake. But he who
endures to the end will be saved.
23 "When they persecute you in this city, flee to another. For
assuredly, I say to you, you will not have gone through the cities of
Israel before the Son of Man comes.
24 "A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his
master.
25 "It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a
servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house
Beelzebub, how much more will they call those of his household!
~~~
These devotions are posted with permission from John MacArthur's
first (1993) devotional work, _Drawing Near_, and they are also sent
out daily for free to several folks via e-mail.
In addition, John's second (1997) devotional, _Strength for Today_,
is also available free via e-mail only. _Strength for Today_ follows
the same format as what you have seen here from _Drawing Near_, but
with different monthly themes.
If you would like to receive daily devotions via e-mail from either
of these series, just let me know (via e-mail), and I will gladly add
you to the list(s) of your choice.
You can hear John MacArthur daily via the Internet by visiting:
http://www2.oneplace.com/Ministries/Grace_to_You/
and
http://www.gty.org.uk/
You may email John MacArthur in care of Grace to You at:
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In Christ,
Peter
Peter G. Chase :: Columbus, Ohio, USA
pchase1@wideopenwest.com
STOP! Who do you think Jesus is?
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To forgive is to set a prisoner free, and to discover that the prisoner was you. -Alistair Begg
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