Messengers of Peace

"But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace" (James 3:17-18).

The wisdom from God is not like that from the world. While seeking human counsel is often needed, God wants us to seek his wisdom, understanding, and to do his will above anything else (Proverbs 3). When our belief/faith connects with Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, we know his will. The substance and evidence of that faith is there, God's heart interlocks with ours. When human counseling comes against our faith we know it is of man and not God. When someone has wisdom from God the gentleness, kindness, peace; fruits of the Spirit are evident, v.13.

When we put bits in a horses’ mouth it is so they will obey us, directing them in the way that they should go. "Do not be as the horse or as the mule which have no understanding, whose trappings include bit and bridle to hold them in check" (Psalm 32:9). God doesn't want us to follow him were he has to bridle us like a horse, he wants us to be fully committed to following him. This is not an easy thing, our human nature wants to trust in self, the law, traditions, or human reasoning. God wants us to be obedient to his voice, to seek his counsel, "I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you" (Psalm 32:8). We are called to be righteous, to seek his counsel.

We know that our righteousness is found in Christ and that Christ did not come to give us world peace but peace in him (John 16:33). We are called to be a light to the world, so we are to live as Christ, set apart, holy as he is; this is called sanctification. Righteousness starts with justification; by planting a seed of peace in Jesus, by his blood shed on the cross he reconciles, making peace (Colossians 1:20), a peace that passes understanding, a peace that marks children of his kingdom, "blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God" (Matthew 5:9). The very seed that produces righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace, v.18. Righteosness is planted in peace by peacemakers. We must be messengers of peace to produce righteousness.

The Center for the Study of Global Christianity estimates that there are 41,000 different denominations.[2] If we date this splitting into denominations to 1517 A.D. the most common date of the Protestant Reformation's beginning, then we have a new denomination being created about every four or five days. If we are dividing so much how can we be messengers of peace to the world? While we are fighting, Christians in some countries are being persecuted for being messengers of peace, for following Jesus.

I worship you Jesus ... Fill all Christians in chains of persecution with you... We leave our country in Christ's Holy name... the day of freedom is on it's way! Song from Iran
Stay strong for his glory... Letter from Inside Iran

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