Morning by Morning, May 28 - “Pursue What Makes for Peace”
Good morning, Lord Jesus. Help me begin my day and every day embraced by my Father, centered in Christ, and filled with Your Holy Spirit. ...
“Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer.... For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Whoever serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding” (Romans 14:13-19).
It sure seems we’ve settled too deeply into division in the body of Christ. I would say a strong spirit of judgment has entered in and taken hold, where we’re often being led by the flesh instead of the Spirit in hardening our hearts against one another. And as a result, the heart of the body of Christ grows hardened and dull to that degree we’ve given ourselves over to judgment, criticism, and division.
Your Word says the Kingdom is not about what we eat, but we say things to each other like, “You’ll eat whatever they feed you.” Your Word says the Kingdom is not about what we drink, but we say things to each other like, “You’ve been drinking the Kool-Aide.”
Yes, there is right and wrong. Yes, there is truth and there are lies. Yes, there is propaganda, manipulation, control, and ungodly influence seeking to defile the heart and mind of the body of Christ and derail our mission in our world. But at the same time, we’re to be “speaking the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15). We’re to “let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from (us), along with all malice (and) be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave (us)” (Ephesians 4:31-32).
Pursing what makes for peace doesn’t mean pursuing appeasement or compromise. We’re to stand firm in the faith and “fight the good fight of the faith” (1 Timothy 6:12). And at the same time, as You said in Your Word in the verse just before this often-quoted declaration, “Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness” (1 Timothy 6:11).
We’re to wield “the weapons of our warfare” in the battles of our day (2 Corinthians 10:4). But our weapons are not the weapons of the flesh or the weapons of the world. They’re not weapons of judgment, criticism, and division. They’re not weapons of bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and slander. They’re weapons of love, humility, forgiveness, reconciliation, mercy and grace of unmerited, undeserved favor and kindness. They’re weapons of praying for those who persecute you, blessing those who curse you, and even loving those who hate you. All while standing firm in our faith, speaking the truth in love, refusing to compromise with righteousness or rebel against the authority of Your Word and the leading of Your Spirit.
That’s how “mercy triumphs over judgment” (James 2:13). That’s how we “overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21). That’s how “the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds” (2 Corinthians 10:4). That’s how we keep remembering that ultimately, “we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the ruler, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12). And that’s how we “shine like stars in the world” as “children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation” (Philippians 2:15).
Give us grace for that, Lord. Fill us again with “righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Romans 14:17). That’s “the Kingdom God” living in us, manifesting in us, displaying the power and glory of God in us -- “on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10). That’s living our lives wholly surrendered to You as Your disciples, as “ambassadors for Christ” in our world “since God is making His appeal through us” (2 Corinthians 5:20). In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays
My friend, may you pursue what makes for peace, filled with the righteousness and peace and joy of the Holy Spirit living in you and speaking the truth in love through you, in Jesus' name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friend!
Tommy & Rocio Hays
Messiah Ministries
412 S. Adams Street #148
Fredericksburg, Texas 78624
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