The Hope of Peace Romans 15:4-13 Despite mans best efforts, the worlds longing for peace remains unfulfilled. Each new generation has high hopes for reconciliation among people and nations but in the end faces 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 were 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 dont even want to. God knows our true character and has provided the Holy Spirit to transform us into Jesus likeness. The Spirit opens our minds to understand and apply Scripture. 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 (Gal. 5:22-23). With His help, we can become peacemakers who work to bring about reconciliation between God and others (Matt. 5:9). While our world keeps hoping for peace through mans solutions, we know the only source of lasting unity is Jesus Christ. The Lord wants our hearts to be ruled by His peace (Col. 3:15) and our relationships to be marked by a spirit of oneness. How encouraged other people will be when they realize its the transforming power of God in our lives that brings about reconciliation in our marriages, families, and churches. By Dr. Charles S. ----------------------- Romans 15:4-13 New King James Version (NKJV) 4 For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. 5 Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, 6 that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Glorify God Together 7 Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received us,[a] to the glory of God. 8 Now I say that Jesus Christ has become a servant to the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made to the fathers, 9 and that the Gentiles might glorify God for His mercy, as it is written: “For this reason I will confess to You among the Gentiles, And sing to Your name.”[b] 10 And again he says: “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people!”[c] 11 And again: “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles! Laud Him, all you peoples!”[d] 12 And again, Isaiah says: “There shall be a root of Jesse; And He who shall rise to reign over the Gentiles, In Him the Gentiles shall hope.”[e] 13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Posted on: Wed, 14 Jan 2015 09:49:45 +0000
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