DRAWING NEAR
April 22
Risking True Peace
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of
God" (Matt. 5:9).
People often define peace as the absence of conflict, but God sees it
differently. The absence of conflict is merely a truce, which might
end overt hostilities but doesn't resolve the underlying issues. A
truce simply introduces a cold war, which often drives the conflict
underground, where it smolders until erupting in physical or
emotional disaster.
James 3:17 says, "The wisdom from above is first pure, then
peaceable." Godly wisdom, purity, and peace go hand- in-hand. Peace
is wisdom in action and is never established at the expense of
righteousness. It brings righteousness to bear on the a situation,
seeking to eliminate the source of conflict and create right
relationships. Feuding parties will know true peace only when they
are willing to admit that their bitterness and hatred is wrong and
humbly seek God's grace to make things right.
Some people equate peacemaking with evading issues, but true peace
can be very confrontive. In Matthew 10:34 Jesus says, "Do not think
that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring
peace, but a sword." That may seem to contradict Matthew 5:9, but it
doesn't: Jesus knew that sinful people have to be confronted with the
truth before they can experience peace. That can be a painful and
difficult process because people usually have a hostile reaction to
the gospel before they finally embrace it. Even believers will
sometimes react negatively when confronted with God's truth.
Being a biblical peacemaker has its price. You can expect to upset
unbelievers who openly oppose God's Word as well as believers who
compromise its truth for the sake of maintaining "peace" among people
of differing doctrinal persuasions. Some will call you narrow-minded
and divisive for dealing with controversial issues. Some will
misunderstand your motives or even attack you personally. But that's
been the path of every true peacemaker-- including our Lord Himself.
Take heart and be faithful. Your efforts to bring peace show that you
are a child of God.
Suggestions for Prayer:
Ask God for the boldness never to compromise His truth. Pray
for those you know who are suffering for the sake of the gospel.
For Further Study:
Read Luke 12:51-53, noting how the gospel can bring division even
among families.
Drawing Near, Copyright c 1993 John F. MacArthur, Jr.
All rights reserved. Used by permission.
http://www.gty.org
~~~
Luke 12:51-53 (NKJV)
51 "Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you,
not at all, but rather division.
52 "For from now on five in one house will be divided: three against
two, and two against three.
53 "Father will be divided against son and son against father,
mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law
against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against her
mother-in-law."
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:
letters@gty.org
NOTE for those of you reading via newsgroups: If you wish to reach
me, please contact me via e-mail for quickest results.
In Christ,
Peter
Peter G. Chase :: Columbus, Ohio, USA
pchase@wowway.com
STOP! Who do you think Jesus is?
http://www.gty.org/Gospel
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There is a living God. He has spoken in His word. He means just what he says, and will do all that He has promised. - Hudson Taylor
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