My carpenter friend accidentally cut off a car as he made a lane change. The man driving the car came alongside my friend’s vehicle, shook his fist in anger, and sped off. My friend felt bad and wanted to somehow atone for his driving mistake.
Soon the driver of the car pulled into the parking lot of the company he worked for, parked his car, and went inside. My friend steered his truck into the same lot and went into the building to apologize. The man was disarmed by my friend’s peace-making ways and they ended up having a good conversation. At the conclusion of their time together, my friend gave the man one of his handyman business cards. Later, the man hired him to do a project at his home!
James emphasized the importance of our pursuit of peace with others. As part of his “wisdom from God” passage, he implored the recipients of his letter—persecuted Jewish believers in Jesus—to seek peace even in the midst of conflict. He wrote, “Wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others” (James 3:17). These qualities aren’t natural in our fallen human condition. We’re prone to live out things like “selfish ambition” and “favoritism” (James 3:16-17).
So where did my friend’s peace-making ways come from? I believe they’re the result of the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit. Over the years, my friend has sought wisdom from God and has prayerfully strived to submit to the Spirit’s work. God enabled him to pursue the path of peace instead of road rage. As James penned, “Peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness” (James 3:18).
By the Spirit’s power, may we also drive for peace today!
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Judges 6:1-40
More:
Read Matthew 5:9 and consider what Jesus said about those who seek peace with others.
Next:
Who have you been engaged in conflict with recently? How can the Holy Spirit help you pursue peace with them? How are wisdom and peace connected?
hsnpoor on March 8, 2017 at 2:45 am
I think it’s wise to remember that there is a very big difference between peacemaking and peacekeeping. Scripture calls us to be peacemakers, not peacekeepers. That’s our part, by the power of the Holy Spirit. If we do our part, God will honor and handle the keeping of the peace we make with others.
sandy229 on March 8, 2017 at 10:41 am
Amen Kim!!
sandy229 on March 8, 2017 at 5:35 pm
Yes, this reminds me of a Sunday school lesson I taught last year In Matthew 5:9, Jesus says that it’s the peacemakers who are blessed. The call to be a peacemaker could constitute a more passive posture of non violent resistance, or it could prescribe a more active pursuit of peace by working to bring reconciliation to opposing parties. Jesus taught patient, nonviolent resistance later in the Sermon on the Mount, when He taught the proper response to someone striking the cheek or
taking your coat (Matthew 5:38-42).
This was modeled in His suffering and crucifixion. Jesus also modeled active engagement in a hostile situation in order to bring about reconciliation. Paul described Jesus’ sacrificial death as “making peace through the blood of His cross.” (Colossians 1:20) Jesus promised blessing on those who do whatever is necessary to bring about peace. So those who strive for peace and reconciliation show the family resemblance to the God of all peace.
sandy229 on March 8, 2017 at 5:37 pm
ok, the also, shouldn’t be in there.
hsnpoor on March 9, 2017 at 3:35 pm
Good word, Sandy. There are indeed, more than one way or dimension to peacemaking.
godlove on March 9, 2017 at 2:24 am
Certainly hsnpoor, that is an important distinction to make. Thanks for sharing.
crossman61 on March 9, 2017 at 6:03 pm
Thanks Kim , you are so right about the importance of distinction , between peacemakers and peacekeepers. I never gave that any thought. And it is important!!
Gary Shultz on March 8, 2017 at 5:42 am
Hi Tom: All peaceful ways do take some living to work out. The driving thing is still difficult for me since I do it with some regularity. I will have to say your friend went the extra mile, and no one is a perfect driver, we make mistakes. It was the personal concern that went into the event, as well as the peacemaking ways and I don’t know that they can be separated. Kim has also mentioned peacemakers and peacekeepers, even being somewhat different it is difficult to be a peacemaker without being a peacekeeper. So Kim, help me a little with the “big” part of that? What ever the case, I am thankful I have not been engaged in recent marked conflict. That is where I think peacekeeping comes in, living peace, brings peace. If you have peace it is a natural base to work, making peace. Now, I still have to work on my driving. I must be a witness there too. They say, “your right foot is the last thing to be saved”. Thanks Tom.
tim gustafson on March 8, 2017 at 7:19 am
Gary, you and I need to repent, don’t we? : ) I can so relate to the driving issues. Tom’s friend convicts me here. I’ve been on both sides of this issue. I do like Kim’s comment about peacemaking versus peacekeeping. I can see the distinction. “Peacekeeping” seems to have a bit more of a militaristic connotation to it. To me, “peacemaking” means doing those peaceful things that—surprise!—lead to peace. That’s what Tom’s friend did here.
hsnpoor on March 8, 2017 at 3:36 pm
Hi guys! Clearly I was up early this morning and I’m now eating lunch (alone) in a fancy restaurant to treat myself because I attempted to do some peacemaking recently (like yesterday) and failed miserably. I was tempted to withdraw and just do what was necessary to keep the peace, but the Holy Spirit said “nah”. One of the differences between peacekeeping and peacemaking is you have to be willing to take a risk to be a maker of peace. The other is be willing to tell the truth and lastly, you have to be willing to lose something in the transaction. I lost something, but it wasn’t my personal integrity, so I’ll get over it and I hope the other person does too. Peacekeeping is the passive, lazy side of peacemaking. Peacekeeping is keeping the peace at any cost and it often shows up in abusive relationships. Peacemaking takes energy, initiative and resolve to work towards a peaceful resolution of a problematic situation. Gary, I guess you can be a peacemaker and peacekeeper, but I don’t think you can do both at the same time. Peacemaking takes a level of commitment not required in peacekeeping. Both can come at a cost, but when I do the mathematics, I’d much rather be a peacemaker than a peacekeeper. If, for no other reason than the Lord calls us to make peace, not keep it. On another note, about a 10-days ago, I was the driver who was cut off as I was going to get gas at COSTCO. You could have knocked me over with a feather when the person who cut me off came to where I was pumping gas to very sincerely and earnestly offer his apologies. As if that weren’t unusual enough, he offered absolutely no excuses with his apology. I was greatly impressed and told him so.
conmeo on March 8, 2017 at 4:57 pm
Thank you for this level of sharing with us. I cannot address the loss you speak of but for me you surrendered to the Lord in your efforts which is clearly love. The Commandment our Lord left us with is to love others ( as He first loved us). Seems to me your “loss” has gained you standing as one who is willing to follow Jesus , incredible riches indeed…..do it again…….and again…. Your empathy in hoping the “other person” gets over it is emblematic of Jesus example. You loved, so I say to Praise Him! Be Blessed.
hsnpoor on March 9, 2017 at 3:41 pm
Conmeo, that you so much for your kind and encouraging words. They were both needed and appreciated! I have said a prayer over your relationship to reconcile with your sister and I have every reason to believe that you both will live to see that reconciliation bear fruit that will honor God and thrill both of you in the process. Don’t wait for the victory, SHOUT NOW!!!
hsnpoor on March 9, 2017 at 3:42 pm
That, should be “thank”…. This auto correct feature works much faster than my brain….
conmeo on March 9, 2017 at 10:16 pm
And a Heavenly thank you and Praise to Him for your prayer as well. Sadly, my sister having involved outsiders away from the assembly has “put me in chains”( LOL) and will prevent any reconciliation without Divine intervention, so I join you in fervent prayer for her and all those with hardened hearts . I do give thanks that I have made the love offering and put this child of God in the hands of the Master of Reconciliation, Jesus Christ our Lord! We readers of ODJ have read your posts here for some time and know that we are blessed… and you need to know your comments are appreciated. Be Blessed.
conmeo on March 8, 2017 at 8:40 am
Good Morning, I too find myself with the need for repentance. In my repentance the Lord is moving me along the path that hnspoor exhorts; from peacekeeper to peacemaker. Having had a deep relationship with an ADHD/DESR sister (Dysfunctional Emotional Self Regulation, both biologically driven conditions) explode and implode due to the inherent anger associated with the condition (road rage a definite component), I fell prey to the worldly advice to enable by “keeping the peace”. In moving to the referenced peace maker, and after prayerful consideration and communion allowing the Lord to speak, seeking the wise counsel of elders and significant time to be still and listen, I made an attempt at love and spiritual reconciliation. The response was more anger and a call from the police. While disappointing, we can be confident the Lord is the ultimate Loving Peacemaker and in His season will continue to put His loving hands on those who know not what they do. Love the story about the carpenter in your illustration. Thanks for this Tom.
minkjh on March 8, 2017 at 10:12 am
Tom, I find an amazing connection here with the actions of your carpenter friend and how he repaired something that for all intents and purposes was a hopeless cause. What a great testimony showing how the Carpenter of Nazareth restores all our brokenness that we create either intentionally or by accident.
sandy229 on March 8, 2017 at 10:40 am
James makes clear the principle that we cannot serve two masters. We cannot say we love and serve God and then live ungodly lives.
It is only through wholehearted devotion to God, expressed practically through good works we can live the kind of life to which the Book of James calls us.
So we should take time now to rededicate our hearts and lives to loving, following and obeying Jesus.
Choose to devote yourself fully to God rather than to your own selfish and worldly desires. Devote yourself to the Lord, and godly wisdom and righteousness will begin to grow in your life.
conmeo on March 8, 2017 at 11:39 am
Thank you Sandy! Your reference to James raised for me James2:8; “If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right.”.
The incredibly beautiful instruction; irrespective of who they may appear to be or what they have done. We are to push toward the goal of the King of Kings and His Love instruction without discriminating…. “Consider it pure joy…” James 1:2; PURE devotion…….
sandy229 on March 8, 2017 at 1:31 pm
To God be the Glory! And what you said is so true, and another thing is if you don’t love yourself, you can’t love others, (I never really thought about that before until this moment)but it makes sense, and yes we are to push toward the goal, you make an excellent point. Thanks for sharing.
hsnpoor on March 10, 2017 at 12:47 am
You know GG, GAGirl, said something sometime ago that really stuck with me. She called it the Micah Mandate (Micah 6:8). “And what does the LORD require of you? To do right, to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God”. I/we want to do right, but we can be clueless, ignorant, unsure and just unmindful or what that is. Am I the only one who thinks that the easiest part of that mandate to obey is to love mercy?