If both the parties are peace lovers , reconciliation becomes easy . Even if one party is not for it , then it becomes difficult . “ I am a man of peace ; but when I speak , they are for war ,” laments David ( Psa 120:7 ). Neither the Jews nor the Gentiles desired peace . So it seemed they were eternally at war with each other . Christ did not give up . What did He do ? He came and preached peace to you who were far away ( Gentiles ) and peace to those who were near ( Jews ). He wanted so much to bring them together that He spoke peace to both of them individually .
If you are not at peace with someone , consider this : The Christ who spoke to them that day speaks to you today through His words : “ Have salt in yourselves and be at peace with each other ” ( Mk 9:50 ). If the salt loses its saltiness , it is good for nothing ( Mt 5:13 ). Are you good for nothing or a salty person ? You be your judge . If you are the salt of the earth , if you are a believer , honour the words of Christ , your Master , whom you worship .
You cannot settle a matter peacefully if there is some fault on either side . First rectify that matter on your part , apologize , and then extend your hand for a shake . “ Righteousness and peace kiss each other ”( Psa 85:10 ). Where we expect peace there should be righteousness . David was more than willing for reconciliation . Though Saul repented now and then , his attitude remained the same , making reconciliation impossible . It should not be a surface peace but a heart to heart settlement . If you lead a God-pleasing life , even your enemies will live in peace with you ( Prov 16:7 ). If the fruit of the Spirit is peace , should we , who call ourselves Spirit-filled believers , fold our hands behind our backs and refuse to shake hands ?
Heavenly wisdom is peace loving but a saint who ignores the peace that God promises , returns to his folly ( Js 3:17,18 ; Psa 85:8 ). The author of Hebrews admonishes us to “ make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy ; without holiness no one will see the Lord ,” ( Heb 12:14 ). Work at getting along with each other and with God . Otherwise you will never ever get even a glimpse of God .
We take the matter of reconciliation too lightly . We must make every effort to get right with the one whom we have wronged or who has wronged us ( Rom 14:19 ). The weak can never forgive . Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong . A couple of abortive attempts doesn ' t mean you should close the case . Try again . Be mature enough to accept other people ' s immaturity .
Lack of peace may be eating away our family . We may have dinners , festivals and guests with much water flowing under the bridge . Give up your ego and go to your spouse or child to make peace . Are you in talking terms with your siblings ? If not , it may be a good place to start . Like a gale of pure air driving out stagnant clouds of pollution , peace will replace bitterness ( Prov 17:1 ). God has called us to peace ( 1 Cor 7:15 ).
Christ made the two as one . There is neither Jew not Gentile , only Christians . If the two can forget their differences and become one , is it impossible for us to give up whatever we need to give up and hold hands ? When Christ has shattered the hostility between the Gentile and the Jew , is it a big thing for Him to abolish your enmity ? Submit whatever hostility is there between you two and ask Him to burn it up . Cooperate with God and take the initiative to break the impasse . Let not your false ego make you dither . Let not fear hold you down . Perfect love casts out fear . If you go , the Lord will come with you and make everything easy for you as He did for Esau and Jacob . This is my experience .
This peace-making was done by Christ through the cross in His flesh . It was not a cake-walk for Him . He suffered , shed His blood , hung in shame and agony , giving His back to be ploughed , whipped , spat
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