FOLLOW PEACE

FOLLOW PEACE with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord

– Hebrews 12:14

Every believer in Christ is meant to be a Peacemaker, rather than a troublemaker. The notion of a ‘Christian troublemaker’ would be an oxymoron; the two words are mutually exclusive. We who belong to Jesus Christ and claim to be His followers must also be FOLLOWERS and SEEKERS of Peace. We are commanded to “Follow Peace with ALL men, and holiness…” (Heb.12:14). Notice: you cannot follow HOLINESS until you are a follower of PEACE!

Matthew 5:9 says: Blessed are the PEACEMAKERS: for they shall be called the children of God. The Bible consistently admonishes us to follow peace. Let us ponder on few of the many injunctions of Peace:

• Depart from evil, and do good; SEEK PEACE, and PURSUE IT (Psa. 34:14).
• If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, LIVE PEACEABLY with all men (Rom. 12:18)
• Let us therefore FOLLOW after the things which make for PEACE, and things wherewith one may edify another (Rom. 14:19)
• Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, LIVE IN PEACE; and the GOD of love and PEACE shall be with you (1 Cor. 13:11)
• And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And BE AT PEACE among yourselves (1The.5:13).

James 3:17 describes the Wisdom of God as being: …first pure, then PEACEABLE, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. Such wisdom is free from bitterness, envy, enmity, hatred, hostility, and strife. Beloved, never invite trouble – it always accepts! Seek, follow, and pursue peace – at the end, it always pays!