The Lord taught me things that I didn't know about being a Peacemaker or rather my understanding and definition of what a "peacemaker" was or should be was not necessarily the same as how he saw it.
I bet we have all heard the statement "Peace at any Price!" but is that really peace?
On that Sunday morning I was told by the Lord to go look it (peacemaker) up on the internet. So I typed it up and was immediately drawn to a specific post that was on a Baptist Minister's page. ( I have since tried to relook it up so that I can give the source- as much of what I will be sharing comes straight from what he shared.) But atlas, I have tried and cannot find it.
So I will put all his words or when I am directly quoting him in (italics) and keep my insights, comments in regular print.
The Baptist minister gave 6 Principles of a Peacemaker and the 2 that struck me the most or rather it just clicked into my heart and brain was the following:
Principle #3- A Peacemaker is a meddler
Principle #6 -A Peacemaker does not seek 'peace at any price'
I guess I am a peacemaker after all!
But I might be getting ahead of myself.
It's always good to define things and make sure everyone is on the same page so backing up a little bit.
First off- What is Peace?
Peace is more than the absence of stress, worry, anxiety
Peace is a combo of trust, assurance, well-being, calmness and joy, EVEN in the face of evil circumstances and evil people.
What about being a Peacemaker?
"In the wild west, a peacemaker was a colt 45 revolver.
Blessed was the man who had the quick draw.
200 years later, the US has a nuclear missile called the Peacemaker.
BUT peace in the heart comes from the presence of Jesus in the heart and the Holy Spirit filling the life" -
He gives the following principles of being a peacemaker.
Principle #1-You can't be a peacemaker if you don't have peace.
You can't give away something that you don't have. Ding ding ding.
Principle #1-You can't be a peacemaker if you don't have peace.
You can't give away something that you don't have. Ding ding ding.
Peace is a Gift of God. There is NO peace until you have peace with God.
Bottom Line- because I am a bottom line person-
Peace is the byproduct of a right relationship with the Lord.
Fruit of the spirit is peace.
**If you want peace you must have your Baptism of Fire/Be born again, you must come to the cross and be washed in the blood of the Lamb, you must believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.**
Principle #2: A Peacemaker leads others to make peace with GOD
If it is only in Jesus Christ that we find true peace- then the gospel of Jesus Christ must be given out/shared with others.
Principle #3- A Peacemaker is a Meddler-Let me explain
You can't be a peacemaker and mind your own business- you can't stay out of it- you must get involved.
Don't forget to plan your meddling.
Don't forget to plan your meddling.
**The key is to be a Holy Meddler** A peacemaker needs to be not only holy, but HUMBLE, WISE as a serpent and filled with the Spirit , a man or women of mighty prayer. Boldness helps too! Because a peacemaker must be willing to confront
^This is something I never understood before^
I always thought if you were a peacemaker then you just had to yield to others and keep your mouth shut. NOT SOMETHING I DO. If I see something that needs addressing, I open my mouth and speak up. Sometimes my own love ones might see that as me stirring things up.
Being passive aggressive does NOT = being peaceful.
A peacemaker is one whose spirit has been broken by the Holy Spirit (broken heart).
He/She has grieved over his/her own sins.
He/she has taken on the meekness and the mercy of Jesus/Yeshua.
He/she has hungered and thirsted after righteousness.
He/she has allowed the Lord to purify his/her heart.
He/She has grieved over his/her own sins.
He/she has taken on the meekness and the mercy of Jesus/Yeshua.
He/she has hungered and thirsted after righteousness.
He/she has allowed the Lord to purify his/her heart.
Now this individual is ready to be a peacemaker.
Principle #4 Don't Gossip
There is nothing like a gossip and tale bearing to fan the fires of strife and tension.
Proverbs 26:20 "Without the wood a fire goes out; without gossip a quarrel dies down.
Principle #5 Don't be quarrelsome
Something I keep reminding myself-
To be quick to listen and slow to speak.
A favorite quote of mind comes to mind-"Don't sweat the petty stuff and never pet the sweaty stuff!"
Don't argue about picky things or create controversy over things that don't really matter. (Keep an Eternal perspective)
Like the fighting couple over the ironing board. She used the pointed, narrow end to iron her clothes. He used the wider, straight end. She continuously criticized him for not ironing right.
What's the difference?
What's the difference?
Principle #6- A Peacemaker does NOT
seek 'peace at any price'
seek 'peace at any price'
Biblical truth and Scriptural convictions CANNOT be Compromised-
not for the sake of 'getting along'
not for the sake of getting together
not for the sake of ecumenicism (I had to look up that word no clue what that meant)-
not for the sake of anything
Martin Luther's testimony at the Diet of Worms settled this once and for all.
A peacemaker- any true Christian is never a compromiser. One preacher said, "Peace that is won by compromising godly principles is NOT peace at all. it's cowardice. It's treason to the conscience. It's anarchy toward the courts of heaven. If we've won peace through compromising the standards of righteousness, we don't really have peace at all. We have apostasy"
And it's apostasy-peace that forms the basis of the coming of the new world order and the one-world government.
Jesus was called the Prince of Peace but let us know what He thought of compromise when He went into the temple with a whip in His hand & flames in His eyes, overturning the tables of the money changers, sending goats, cows and people running for the gates.
Growing up I was a peacebreaker. I love causing contention, pushing peoples buttons- especially my brothers. I loved to quarrel-
to be RIGHT!
to be RIGHT!
Bottom line, I didn't have peace.
This happened as I had a personal relationship with Father and his son Jesus Christ.
When I was Baptized by Fire and the dross was burned out and Charity was filled inside me,
I was given that inner peace that comes from the Prince of Peace himself.
God's peace passes all understanding. I might not understand this terrible situation I'm in. I may not understand why that person is making life miserable for me all the time; But God's peace passes all understanding. When I have Jesus, I have his peace. If Christ is in your life, His peace is in your life.
In part 2 I will finish with what the Baptist ministered shared on his one post along with insights that I have learned from the Lord.
This is already long enough so I will end for now. Until then...your Sister in Christ-Sally
