Be at Peace with One Another”
“Be at peace with one another.” (Mark 9: 50, 1 Thess. 5: 13, 1 Pet. 3: 8)
Where do we get peace? How do we get peace? How do we keep peace? What is peace?
Jesus is our peace!
Ephesians 2:14-16 For He Himself (Jesus) is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity.
Ep 2:14-22 Mirror Bible It is in him (Christ) that we are one and at peace with everyone; he dissolved every definition of division. (What we know will put war and divorce out of business!)
2:15 In his incarnation, he rendered the entire Jewish system of ceremonial laws and regulations useless as a measure to justify human life and conduct. In that he died humanity’s death all grounds for tension and hostility were entirely removed. The peace he proclaims reveals one new human race, created and defined in Christ, instead of two groups of people separated by their ethnic identity and differences.
2:16 Both parties are fully represented and equally reconciled to God in one human body through the cross. He reinstated the former harmony; all opposing elements were thus utterly defeated. opposing elements were thus utterly defeated.
2:17 On that basis he made his public appearance, proclaiming the good news of peace to the entire human race; both those who felt left out in the cold (as far as the promises and covenants were concerned), as well as to those who were near all along (because of their Jewish identity).
2:18 Because of Christ both Jew and Gentile now enjoy equal access to the Father in one Spirit.
2:19 The conclusion is clear, you are no longer frowned upon as a foreigner; you are where you belong and part of an intimate family where no-one is suspicious or inferior.
2:20 Your lives now give tangible definition to the spiritual structure, having been built into it by God upon the foundation that the prophets and apostles proclaimed. The first evidence of this building was Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone. (He is the visible testimony to the restored image and likeness of God in human form.)
2:21 In him everyone of us are like living Lego blocks fitted together of the same fabric, giving ever increasing articulation to a global mobile sanctuary intertwined in the Lord.
2:22 In him you are co-constructed together as God’s permanent spiritual residence. You are God’s address!
We can never obtain or achieve or maintain peace on our own. We really can’t even comprehend what peace is by our own understanding. Jesus is our peace – He made peace between us and everyone!
Know Jesus, Know Peace. No Jesus, No Peace. Ask the Holy Spirit of Christ in you to reveal His peace to you today!
Check out my new novel, “Convertible Conversations” which is about two grandparents giving God’s Grace (UNconditional love in perpetual action working all things for the good) to their orphaned grandson…and others. It’s a heart-warming example of “One Another Love.” ~Paul Gray
www.gracewithpaulgray.com/books