Risking True Peace - Protestant Caucus/Devotional

"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 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.

Read Luke 12:51-53, noting how the gospel can bring division even among families.

Excellent. Another article I needed today. Thank you.

“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.”

This brings tears to my eyes.

Prayer For Grace And Mercy Every Day

Dear God, I am asking that Your grace and mercy would continue to follow me all the days of my life, as You have promised in You Word. Teach me to understand Your ways and grant me wisdom I pray, to live my life in a way that is pleasing and honouring to You.

Thank You, that You are my Shepherd and how I praise You for Your day-by-day provision and for the comfort and joy that You have brought into my life.

Thank You for always being there for me, to lead and to guide, to protect and to comfort, even when I falter and fail. Thank You for Your rod of discipline and Your staff of comfort, which have proved to be such a solace in time of need.

Grant me Your mercy and grace to live my life to the full, and to carry out the work and witness that You have prepared for me to do. Refresh my soul and revive my spirit with streams in the desert, and continue to pour out Your bountiful grace and never-failing mercy, which is new every morning, great is Your faithfulness, praise Your holy name. In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen.

Source: https://prayer.knowing-jesus.com/prayer/prayer-for-grace-and-mercy-every-day-1579

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