Welcome, friends, to another
broadcast of Morsels for Zion's Poor. The word peace occurs 111
times in the New Testament. It would be safe to say then
that the Scriptures have a lot to say about peace. The Scripture
basically speaks of three kinds of peace. Number one, it speaks
of peace with God. We are brought into a knowledge
of this peace which is accomplished totally outside of ourselves
by the work of Jesus Christ in our behalf. For it pleased the
Father that in him should all fullness dwell, and having made
peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all
things unto himself. By him, I say, whether they be
things in earth or things in heaven. Christ has satisfied
the claims of the law, which rightly condemned us, and has
made peace with God for us. We have often heard people say
that they have made peace with God, but such an action is impossible
for sinful men to accomplish. No amount of contrition or obedience
on the part of sinners could ever make peace between an offended
holy God and unrighteous worms. The obedience and blood of the
precious Lamb of God alone could produce such a peace. Therefore,
being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our
Lord Jesus Christ. having procured peace with God
for us without any input on our part. He then has given us the
gift of faith that we might embrace that which he has done for us.
Thus we are reconciled to God just as he is to us. Number two,
peace within ourselves. Having been enlightened by the
Holy Ghost as to that which Christ has procured for us, we are brought
to a place of enjoyment of that peace as the Spirit causes us
to walk in fellowship with Christ. And the peace of God, which passeth
all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through
Christ Jesus. But the fruit of the Spirit is
love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith.
Not only are we given the gift of peace as it relates to reconciliation
with the Father, but over the course of time we are led into
the peace of being able to trust His providence. David, a man
after God's own heart, said of the godly man, He shall not be
afraid of evil tidings. His heart is fixed, trusting
in the Lord. Greater peace is enjoyed as we
learn to trust him more. Thou wilt keep him in perfect
peace, whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusteth in
thee. A fuller revelation of God's
sovereignty causes a man to be at peace as he comes to a clear
knowledge that the One who is our Father says, I form the light
and create darkness, I make peace and create evil, I the Lord do
all these things. Can anything harm us or keep
us back from that which God in His infinite mercy has ordained
for us? And then we have peace with our fellow men. Just as
surely as God is absolutely sovereign, and supplying of the grounds
and support of our peace with him, and also in the working
of that peace within us, recompense to no man evil for evil, provide
things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as
much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. This is especially
true in our relationships with our brethren in Christ. Let us
therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things
wherewith one may edify another. Paul said this in teaching the
Roman Christians, that their responsibility to their brethren
even transcended their own liberty. For the sake of keeping peace
among the saints, we should be willing to even be defrauded
of our so-called rights. In fact, the chief obstacle to
peace among brethren, as well as among the people of the world,
is a self-centered view of what we are entitled to. Put on, therefore,
as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness,
humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering, forbearing one
another, and forgiving one another. If any man have a quarrel against
any, even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. Humility is the
chief ingredient in learning to live in peace with our fellow
men. Pride is its chief enemy. Pride
will always undermine peace, regardless of the supposed willingness
of men to dwell in peace, because pride will not allow forgiveness
to take place without conditions being met, and pride will not
allow conditions to be met without conditions of its own. As Christ
forgave us, so ought we to forgive others. Paul said to the Ephesians,
I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that you
ought worthy of the vocation wherewith you are called, with
all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering, forbearing one
another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit
in the bond of peace. Peace among men will not happen
by itself. Only as the Spirit-led men and
women endeavor to establish peace, by following the example of their
Lord, will peace be experienced. May we be enabled to live in
peace with others, even if they will not live in peace with us.
Follow peace with all men and holiness, without which no man
shall see the Lord. Do you pursue peace? For a free
CD containing 15 of these radio broadcasts, send an email to
forthepoor at windstream.net.