Something We Must All Pursue.

02 Mar Something We Must All Pursue.

I know our dreams and goals as individuals are not the same. I know we all have unique destinies and we do not have to go the same route in life. God did not create us with the same plan, He wants to use us in different areas and He has given us the tools we need to be all that He has created us to be, to achieve the purpose for which He has sent us. But there is ONE THING we all must pursue. And no, it is not Heaven. Heaven is the ultimate goal for every believer but this “thing” we all must pursue is not a place or state or kingdom. So what is it?

God expects every one of us to pursue peace! Click To Tweet

Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another. Romans 14:19 NKJV
Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: Hebrews 12:14 NKJV
Let him turn away from evil and do good; Let him seek peace and pursue it. 1 Peter 3:11 NKJV

I just noticed as I was writing this that the word pursue is used in each of the scripture passages.
Writing this now I am thinking and asking;

Why Do We Have To ‘Pursue’ Peace?
Where there is no peace there is strife, anger, bitterness, hatred, hurt, pain and all these negative emotions. Needless to say that God cannot stand strife.
I can tell you by personal experience that strife drives aways God’s Spirit and hinders the presence of God from manifesting.
For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. James 3:16
God cannot stay where evil work and confusion is the order of the day.

What Are The Things That Cause Strife?
Some of the causes of strife are;
-Anger Proverbs 29:22, 15:18
-Pride Proverbs 13:10
-Hatred Proverbs 10:12
-Dishonesty Proverbs 16:28
-Greed Proverbs 28:25
-Gossip/Tale bearing Proverbs 26:20, 16:28

I believe God wants us to pursue peace because the pursuit of peace is the pursuit of His presence. Click To Tweet

Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: Hebrews 12:14 NKJV

The seventh Beatitude in our series from Matthew 7 says;
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Matthew 5:9 NKJV

Who Are The Peacemakers?
They are those who;
-Prevent Contention by avoiding thoughts, words and actions that can generate quarrel and disputes.
But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. 2 Timothy 2:23 NKJV
Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another. Romans 14:19 NKJV
-Do not seek revenge but love his enemies and those who offend him paying them with good for the evil they did; there by allowing God to be the judge and avenger.
Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:19-21 NKJV
-Pursue peace with others by making sure disputes, misunderstandings and offence are resolved quickly and peace is restored.
Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. Matthew 18:17 NKJV
-Step in to reconcile opposing parties by seeking to settle disputes and misunderstandings between two parties.
But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that, by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. Matthew 18:16 NKJV
You can be that person who is called upon to help build the bridge between two parties and even if you are not called upon, take it on with wisdom and humility as one who strives to see peace restored.
-One other very major way we can be peace makers is by reconciling men to God.  Every believer ought to be a peacemaker in this sense as well.
Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation. 2 Corinthians 5:18
God has called us to the ministry of reconciliation. We are His ambassadors of peace, to reconcile men back to Him by sharing the Love of God in Christ with them.

The Blessing Of Being A Peacemaker
…For they shall be called sons of God
What does this mean?
Our God is The God Of Peace Hebrews 13:20, 1 Thessalonians 5:23
Jesus is The Prince Of Peace Isaiah 9:6
The Holy Spirit produces the fruit of Peace Galatians 5:22
As children of God, we ought to resemble Him, we ought to manifest His traits. If The Father, Son and Spirit abide in us, we ought to show forth those qualities that will make heaven and earth recognise that we look like God as children born with His DNA.
If we are peacemakers then it goes to show that we are worthy to be called His children here on earth and in the life to come.

For God is not the author of confusion but of peace… 1 Corinthians 14:33 NKJV Click To Tweet

In Conclusion.
I have always known that peace is better than war; peace is better than strife. If you have had to deal with strife before, I am very sure that you would agree with me.
Sometimes we do everything we can to keep peace but the other party won’t cooperate, so what do we do?
-Make sure you have done everything you ought to do according to scriptures.
-Make sure you have made peace with God.
-Make sure you harbour no offence.
-Continue praying about the situation.
-Don’t live in and relieve the past.
Lets us live out God’s word in:
Romans 14:19 Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.  And
Hebrews 12:14 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:
So that we will be called sons of God.

Now who wouldn’t love that!

Are you a peacemaker?
How do you pursue peace?

Copyright© Ugochi Oritsejolomisan 2017
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