Peace, it is one of those words that is tossed around during the
Christmas season. "We need to find our peace and discover it during this
time of rapid activity", is what some would say. Others will state
"that it is overrated and will never be had during this busy time". Some
will shout "how can we have peace when there is war, famine, and world
wide poverty that is killing millions each week". Peace, it is the
controversial word that always comes up during the advent season. But
for me I always go back and start first at what the Word of God says
about something so lets take a look at a verse that talks about peace.
1 Timothy 2:1-2
"I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercessions, and
thanksgiving be made for everyone...that we may live peaceful and quiet
lives in all godliness and holiness"
So Paul is urging us to live peaceful lives. So I would say then that a
life full of peace should be found and chased after. We as lovers of
Jesus know that this side of eternity true peace will not be found
completely. There will always be wars, famine, poverty, and strife that
stops peace because we live in a broken world full of sin, evil, and the
work of Satan. But that should not stop us from living lives full of
peace which is connected to godliness and holiness. OK so there is the
ground work and starting point, we need to live lives of peace.
I will be the first person to tell you living a life of peace is a
battle. Peace just like joy, love, and generosity are states of being
that must be fought for and battled to keep in our lives. Peace does not
come easy. Look at all the distractions, evils, and temptations that
will keep us from experiencing true peace. But that is why we need to
contend for peace and keeping it in our lives. The media, culture,
world, others, and even ourselves will continually be telling us peace
in our lives cannot be grasped. But the Bible says it differently. Peace
can be attained and even kept in our lives but not without a fight. The
battle for peace is a battle that takes place each day. It is a war
that is fought hour by hour and even minute by minute but it is a fight
that we need to contend as lovers of Jesus.
And look at this one verse from Timothy. Peace in our lives leads to
godliness and holiness. These are 2 amazing things to have in our lives
and descriptions to have of our character. Godliness and holiness are
the most sought after and desired traits to have in one's life who truly
loves Jesus. Peace in our lives will truly have amazing results. As I
have been pondering the idea of peace I started to think of a few people
I know that seem to keep winning the battle for peace. Peace in our
lives will show to others. Others will know we keep winning the war for
peace and then desire it in there lives also. Contend for peace, win the
battle, keep it in life because it will have far reaching affects for
the kingdom.
So winning the battle for peace is essential but again I will tell you,
along with I think my wife, that I loose the battle for a peaceful
spirit a,lot in my life. But here are a few things that I think will
help in the contention for peace in our lives and Paul lays it right out
for us in the verse above. First, a prayer life that's connected to God
will grow and in effect bring peace in our lives. When we are
continually taking what we are experiencing back to God and laying it at
His feet to deal with, peace from that will come to replace some of the
anxiety. A life of thanksgiving is the second step in the contention
for peace. When we are thankful to God for what He gives us we will
forget the current struggle and distraction in our lives. When we are
thankful for the blessings God graciously gives in Jesus everything else
pales. And I think a third step in battling for peace is, in saturate
yourself in the Words of God. When we hear what God is telling us in His
word, it will fill us with peace and draw us closer to His heart where
true peace can be found.
A peaceful spirit and life of peace must be contended for and this time
of year can and will magnify the desires for it but it will also hinder
it and stop it more. We must contend, fight, battle, and even struggle
for the life and spirit of peace because others will know and we will
show what the true reason for the celebration is in Christmas. When we
daily win the war for peace others will desire to be more in love with
Jesus just like we are. I pray that you will experience some of the
peace of God during this time so others will know about the baby and why
He truly came.
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