Subject: IS there any answers out there? |
Bible Note: [continued..] If two people, both of whom are saved by the grace of God, both indwelt by the same Holy Spirit, disagree sharply with each other, then the Holy Spirit that is within them is not going to be in disagreement with the same Holy Spirit in the other person! What is in disagreement then? It is our human nature that disagrees. What keeps the argument going, or prevents people from reaching peace? The answer is that one, or both, of the "dissenters" are more content to argue than to achieve peace. Only until we both willingly submit to the Holy Spirit will we be truly at peace with each other. We can live at peace with each other, as long as we value each other enough to achieve that peace with each other. And we are to go as far as possible with each other to achieve peace, to the very point of violating a scriptural, spiritual principle. When it requires you to voilate a principle of scripture or spirit, then forget the peace. God does not require us to voilate Scripture to achieve peace. We are not to voilate the Word of God to achieve peace. Jesus did not voilate the Word when He went to the Cross. Paul did not voilate the Word when confronted by the Romans and being stoned. "Peace at any price" is a willingness to sacrifice your own personhood, repressing yourself for peace. "Peace at any price" is self-destructive, and not Scriptural. When a person is not free to express themselves, then peace does not exist. As long as we give our best, as long as we give it our all, as long as we are completely open and honest, then two people can achieve that lasting peace. "Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay," says the Lord. "But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." Romans 12:19-21 "If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; For you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you." Proverbs 25:21-22 When you've done all you can do, and still can't come to peace, then we should ask God what we should do to come to peace. If you go to a Counselor, then make sure that what they tell you is consistent with the Word of God. Have the right attitude and a pure heart. "Salt is good; but if the salt becomes unsalty, with what will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another." Mark 9:50 Have a purifying influence within you - the Spirit of purity, the Spirit of Christ. We must have Love (John 13:34-35). We must also have patience (Colossians 3:12-13) and be tenderhearted to each other (Ephesians 4:32). We can never justify an unforgiving spirit within us - look at what Jesus has forgiven us for. If you want to have peace with yourself, then you must have peace with everyone else. If we have all things (love, patience, tenderheartedness), and the person that we disagree with continues not to yield, then we can be assured that we have done all we can. "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God." Matthew 5:9 - Makarios |