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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Are we bringers of peace or division? | Luke 12:51 | Reformer Joe | 35997 | ||
Dear Forum: On Wednesday nights at our church we have been studying the Beatitudes, and we just examined the words of Jesus: "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God." --Matthew 5:9. We also see in other places in Scripture which highlight peace: "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful." --John 14:27 "For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace" --Romans 8:6 "If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men." --Romans 12:18 The book 1 Peter also has a great deal to say about promoting peace in the midst of adversity. Now we come to verses like the one I cited as the reference for this question. The Prince of Peace Himself says that He came not to bring peace, but division. The parallel passage in Matthew 10:24 uses the word "sword" in place of division. We can also see that the very preaching of Jesus did nothing to promote peace with the Pharisees. The preaching of the gospel in Acts helped the apostles find their way to a jail cell and to martyrdom. We even see in more recent church history how the Protestant Reformation, in recovering the true gospel of Christ has led to all kinds of horrendous acts. Some in our nation today even tell us that peace can only be attained if we never talk about religion, because it is a "private thing" that only creates trouble. The proclamation of biblical Christianity is primarily the "culprit" of such divisiveness. So, let's dwell on this a while: how can we be both promoters of peace and present a gospel which has always served to divide people (as indeed Jesus Christ claimed to do)? --Joe! |
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2 | Are we bringers of peace or division? | Luke 12:51 | jmichael | 36001 | ||
We promote peace because the Gospel declares how we can have peace with the One True and Living God. ( Romans 5:1 ) The divisiveness comes because Christianity declares that we have offended the One True and Living God by our sin and that we are living in a state of rebellion to His delclared will. The only way to peace with an offended God is acceptance of Jesus Christ and Him alone as the payment for our sin and surrender to Him as the Lord of our lives. a start.. ...michael |
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3 | Peaceable evangelism? | Luke 12:51 | Reformer Joe | 36030 | ||
You are absolutely right about how the gospel brings us peace with God, Michael. My question had to with how human beings relate to each other. Romans 12:18 is talking about us living in peace with all MEN. The passages in 1 Peter address how we are to behave toward other people. So it is not just peace with God that is being addressed in the New Testament. Again, I am not looking for a quick answer to my question, because I think it requires more than just a couple of sentences to explore the nuances of it. Basically, the seeming paradox is this: since the gospel brings division, its proclamation naturally prevents peace. We are told to live at peace with all men as far as it depends on us, but we see both from divine command and apostolic example of evangelism creating division. How do we reconcile these two? I have my ideas, but I want to hear from the forum as well! --Joe! |
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4 | Peaceable evangelism? | Luke 12:51 | jmichael | 36045 | ||
It apparently was never Jesus' intention to maliciously antagonize anyone, nor should it be our intent. Rom. 12:18 says, " If it is possible..." suggesting that is is possible and that it is also difficult at times. " as much as depends on you..." do all that is in your power not to create needless divison. For "these six things the Lord hates, yes, seven are an abomination,... he that stirs discord among the brethern. " Pr. 6:16-19 " live peaceably with all men." The responsibility is ours the great example is God and His Son Jesus. Eph. 4:32, " And be kind one to another,tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake has forgiven us." I Peter 2: 21-24, " because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example...who when he suffered, threatened not..." Ours is not to antagonize but it is to evangelize. We share Christ in love in a loving compassionate manner hopefully because " the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts..." Rom 5:5 and because " the love of Christ constrains or compells us." II Cor 5:14 To put it in everyday terms we share the Gospel in love, loveingly because of our love for God and our fellow man and let the chips fall where they may. To those who do not believe it is foolishness and devisive and down right angering but to those who are being saved it is the power of God. Now , Joe, can we hear your thoughts?? Thanks. |
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