Peace be with you7/30/2023 ![]() And I definitely didn’t like being near him! I repeatedly asked the Lord to help me forgive the callous words he had spoken about me to other pastors and leaders. But he was one of those people who simply rubbed me the wrong way, and I just didn’t like him. Everyone was his target - including me!īecause he was a pastor in our same city, I tried very hard to get along with him. He freely gossiped and spoke malicious things about other pastors and churches. Whenever he and I found ourselves in the same room, I was nearly always shocked at what came out of his mouth. But the man lived in the same city as I did, so I couldn’t avoid seeing him from time to time. Many years ago, I had to regularly deal with a pastor who was one of the rudest and most belittling people I had ever met in my life. That is what I want to talk to you about today. So I testify to you from the onset that the majority of horrible relational situations can be turned around if you will obey what Romans 12:18 tells you to do. In fact, he is so dear to me today that I cherish every time I get to see and spend time with him. And we can be certain that whatever strength we need to maintain our focus will be available as we need it.If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.ĭo you know anyone who rubs you the wrong way so badly that when you walk away from that person you feel like you’re about to explode? Does it seem like that person always says something so rude, unkind, impolite, or derogatory that it nearly makes your blood boil when you are with him or her? Well, consider this: Have you ever had the thought that y ou may be rubbing that person the wrong way as well?Īs I relate the following story to you, I am obligated by God to begin by telling you that, over the course of many years, the enemy I am about to describe became a friend. It is only by lovingly holding to our own faith that we can continually make the choices that will lead to a peaceful world. But committing to that path can never justify attacking others. So the path to the kingdom of heaven-the path of Christ consciousness-will not always feel peaceful. Jesus realizes that we need to be vigilant-not so that we can attack others, but so that we can defend our newfound spiritual empowerment against the shadows that feel threatened by it. And the transformation within us as we open our hearts and minds to that good news is so dramatic that it might seem no resistance could even be possible. The good news that Jesus Christ taught and demonstrated is so joyful, creative and loving that it might seem simply inevitable that everyone will want to embrace it. In choosing to see life differently-to embrace our true Oneness with God instead of accepting old beliefs of separation, guilt, shame and suffering-we will arouse the opposition, not only of others who believe differently, but of those old thoughts in our own consciousness that will strive to maintain their control over us. The brighter the light, the darker the shadows. The underlying metaphysical truth, I think, is simply that choices have consequences. But really all four Gospels record Jesus as going to great lengths to make it clear that his was not an easy path, and that holding firmly to spiritual truth will generate an equally firm resistance from the fear-based collective consciousness that seeks to hold us back. You’re not alone in feeling that this statement seems antithetical to the entire tone of Jesus’ message and ministry. I see Jesus telling us that his word will divide people, even within families, like a butter knife divides butter, but he will not use the sword as a instrument of killing. Question:Īs a Christian pacifist, I am concerned that other Christians, who have missed the message of peace from Jesus, use this scripture incorrectly, in my opinion, to justify war. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law and one’s foes will be members of one’s own household” (Matthew 10:34-36). ![]() “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.
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