Chapter 2- Live at Peace

This chapter of course is all about Peace. There are 3 dimensions of peace. Peace with God, made possible by God through the giving of his son, Jesus Christ, so we could have eternal life. Peace with others, God calls us to "live at peace with everyone." (Rom. 12:18) The bible refers to this kind of peace as unity. Just seeing the goodwill of between people, does not mean the absence of conflict or strife. The third dimension of peace is Peace within yourself. "Through Jesus you can experience genuine peace within yourself." This book says that if you do not have peace with God and others, you cannot experience peace within yourself, "internal peace is a by product of righteousness." Internal peace cannot be obtained by anything we do, it is a gift from God to those who believe in Jesus, and obey His commandments. ( A few scripture verses that support 1 John 3:21-24, Isa. 26:3, Isa 32:17,) By Gods choice these 3 dimensions of peace come together. You cannot have one without the other. (1 John 2:23)
The next part of this is titled, "Jesus' reputation depends on unity." Can I just say that, that alone makes me feel weird. Do I really have a great deal to do with Jesus' reputation? I understand what the guy is trying to say, but couldn't he have titled it, Christianities reputation depends on unity? Anyway, what he says is if there is peace and unity in our relationships, more people would take our witness seriously, they would see God present and working in our lives. If there is always conflict and turmoil, then people are less likely to listen to your witness. Many times is this pointed out throughout the bible, the whole unity and peace, even when Jesus was praying before he was hung on the cross, he prayed for unity for all who believed and who would believe. ( John 17:20-23) (more scripture about peace and unity Matt. 5:21-24, 1 Peter 2:12) Peace and unity among us is so important that Jesus says to reconcile before we worship. (1 John 4:19-21)
The enemy of peace is next. Who else could this be but Satan. Anything to stand in the way. Did you know that Satan means adversary. I am sure some of you did, but I did not. Anyway, "Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." (1 Peter 5:8) Satan disrupts unity in so many ways, like tempting us with selfishness, greed, dishonesty. (Acts 5:3, 1 Tim. 4:1-3) He uses unresolved anger as a tool. (Eph. 4:26-27) Satan likes it if we do not see him as some of the cause of conflict. As long as we only see each other as the problem and continue to attack one another we do not think about guarding against him. Do not take that wrong, I know you know it is not all Satan, but us and a lot of sin too. (James 4:7, 1 Peter 5:9) In Ephesians 6, Paul gives a warning about this, he also tells what "weapons" to use against it, "truth, righteousness, the gospel, faith, Scripture, and prayer." The apostles speak a lot in their epistles about peace because it is so important. They all have a command in them to live at peace with each other. (Rom. 15:5-7, 1 Cor. 1:10, Gal. 5:19-22, Col. 3:13 & 15, 1 Thess. 5:13-15) Paul also says that unity and peace is not uniformity, that there is nothing wrong with differing opinions on "disputable matters." It is when it takes away the "harmony and peace, that there is work to be done." (Eph. 4:7-13, 1 Cor. 12:12-31, Rom. 14-1) Paul goes on to say that slandering, anger, etc. really grieves God. (Eph. 4:29-31) So knowing that we are to "be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." ( Eph. 4:32)
Next is lawsuits among believers. 1 Corinthians 6 talks thoroughly about this. It pretty much tells Christians to settle things in the church. If they need mediation to go to the church. The church can suggest things that the judicial courts would not think of. More peaceful resolutions that will work good for both parties involved.
All and all another good chapter, I just hope that I never have to deal with the lawsuit part, or ever let something happen that would get that bad. :) Sorry it took me so long to get this one up. I am already to chapter 5, but finding time to write about it is another thing all together. Anyone with kids will sympathize.