TOPIC: PEACE AND HOLINESS
Memorise: Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
Hebrews 12:14
Read: 2 Corinthians 7:1-2
1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
2 Receive us; we have wronged no man, we have corrupted no man, we have defrauded no man.
3 I speak not this to condemn you: for I have said before, that ye are in our hearts to die and live with you.
4 Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation.
5 For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears.
6 Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus;
7 And not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your fervent mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more.
8 For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent: for I perceive that the same epistle hath made you sorry, though it were but for a season.
9 Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing.
10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
11 For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.
12 Wherefore, though I wrote unto you, I did it not for his cause that had done the wrong, nor for his cause that suffered wrong, but that our care for you in the sight of God might appear unto you.
Message
To succeed in life and make it to heaven, you need both vision and action. Vision is no doubt one of the most powerful forces available to man on earth today. Vision gives meaning to life. Action springs out of what we fundamentally desire. Someone once said, “Vision without action is merely a dream. Action without vision is just passing the time. Vision with action can change the world.” Specifically, what vision, coupled with action is needed to change the world and ensure that we make it to heaven? It is the vision of peace and holiness. We need peace to change the world. Christians are enjoined to follow peace with all men (Hebrews 12:14). The Bible also makes it clear that peace makers shall be called the children of God (Matthew 5:9).
As a Christian, you are expected to live at peace with your neighbours. The first group of neighbours you should be at peace with are your loved ones. These include members of your household or family. Ensure that you live at peace with all members of your nuclear family which includes: your spouse, your children, your parents and your siblings. You should also live peacefully with all members of your extended family, being your uncles and aunties, cousins, nieces and nephews. You should endeavour to live peacefully with all members of your family, regardless of their religion and regardless of whether they give you peace of mind or not.
It is unscriptural for a Christian to neglect his or her children or aged parents. Take good care of your children, parents and all your loved ones. Ensure that you give them peace of mind. Another group of people we should live peacefully with are those living in the same community with us. Demonstrate true Christianity in your relationship with every member of your neighbourhood. Let them identify the love of God in your utterances and actions. Aside from your loved ones, it is your responsibility to live peacefully with those who are not kindly disposed to you. These include your persecutors and critics. Endeavour to be at peace with all who despitefully use you.
Additionally, you should pray for peace in your community, nation and the entire world. It is your responsibility to pray for global peace and share the Prince of peace with all the people who are in need of salvation. Be prayerful and active in soul-winning, follow-up and discipleship. It is however not enough to follow peace with all men. It is mandatory for you as a child of God to live holy. Note that the only group of people that will see God are the pure in (Matthew 5:8).
Action Point: Make peace with your neighbours and all who have offended you.
Bible in one year: 1 Samuel 24-25; Proverbs 8:1-21
SOURCE: OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL, VOLUME 14, 2014 by Pastor E.A Adeboye
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