WOULD OTHERS CONSIDER YOU TO BE A TROUBLEMAKER OR A PEACEMAKER?

SCRIPTURE:
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, 
so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. 
(Romans 15:13)

MEDITATION:
Despite man’s best efforts, 
the world’s longing for peace remains unfulfilled. 
Each new generation has high hopes for reconciliation among people 
and nations, but in the end each one is faced with disappointment.

One day Christ will return and make everything right. 
Until then, believers are called to be His ambassadors of peace. 
However, becoming a Christian does not automatically 
change us into people who pursue kindness and unity.

At times we’re quick-tempered and impatient 
and find it hard to live in harmony with others. 
We may have trouble letting go of attitudes or habits 
that hurt those around us (and occasionally we don’t even want to).

God knows our true character 
and He has provided the Holy Spirit to transform us into Jesus’ likeness. 
The Spirit opens our minds 
to understand and apply Scripture to our own lives. 
He gives us the power to say no to ungodliness 
and to replace ‘me-centered’ thinking with a ‘Christ-centered’ viewpoint.
 
He patiently produces His fruit in us, which includes love, joy, and peace.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, 
goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things 
there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23).

With His help, we can become peacemakers 
who work to bring about reconciliation between God and others.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. 
(Matthew 5:9)
Did you catch that? Peacemakers WILL be called “children of God”.
Isn’t that what we all really want?

While our world keeps hoping for peace through man’s solutions, 
we know the only source of lasting unity is Jesus Christ.
The Lord wants our hearts to be ruled by His peace 
and our relationships to be marked by a spirit of oneness.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body 
you were called to peace. And be thankful. (Colossians 3:15)

How encouraging it will be for other people, 
when they realize it’s the transforming power of God in our lives 
that brings about reconciliation in our marriages, families, and churches.

ACTION:
Do you think you are considered to be a child of God?
The scriptures tell believers what to do to be called a child of God.
If you are a believer and concentrate on being a peacemaker, 
then you too will be called a child of God.

Of course that means you will have to give up things 
like anger, gossip, and treating others in an unkind fashion.
You may not be able to bring peace to the world, 
but you can create peace in your own life and the lives of others.

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word that gives me instructions for 
living as a believer. I would love to be considered a child of Yours, so 
help me to set aside everything that prevents me from being a peacemaker. 
Teach me to look for opportunities to bring peace to any situation. Show me 
how to become less ‘me-centered’ so I can become more ‘Christ-centered’. 
Help me to be at peace with others and most of all with You, Lord.”