22 Days of PeaceSample

Peace With Others

Like any good parent, God wants His children to get along. At times that seems easier said than done. We get into disagreements with each other and find ourselves at odds. Offenses and hurts can come and divide us from people we love. We know that as Christians we should be able to get along but as we encounter problems with people we find that peace is difficult to keep. So what do we do? The Bible tells us to pursue the things that make peace. These things would include loving others despite offenses, forgiving quickly, holding your tongue when you want to lash out, and believing the best when you see the worst. Not only that but we are also told to pursue the things that would build others up. When you are a safe place for people and they know that you will build them up rather than break them down then they will be seeking peace with you as well. There will be those who you just can’t come to an agreement with (see Romans 12:18 where it says to live peaceably if it is possible, sometimes it isn’t possible). Aside from those cases, we have to work at being at peace with others. This should be a goal that we set for ourselves that when problems and situations come in to divide us from others we start seeking the things that would make peace. God knows how to heal every wound and bridge every gap. Seek it in His word and in your prayer time. There may be an apology that you need to give or one that you need to give up on. There may be a heart-to-heart discussion that needs to happen where you reconcile your differences by the power of Jesus' blood. You may already know what you need to do but because you’re carrying a grudge you just can’t bring yourself to do it. Give the grudge to God, forgive from your heart before you ever talk with the other person, and then start following after peace in that relationship.

For further study on this topic see 2 Timothy 2:22, Hebrews 12:14, and 1 Peter 3:8-11.