Pursuing Peace

There is no doubt that God wants us to experience peace in our minds, hearts, and lives. This is why it is described as the fruit of God's Spirit. The Spirit leads us to peace.

The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. (Romans 8:6 NIV)

This is why Jesus told his disciples that they would be different. He told them that the world will know that they are His disciples by their love. When we love one another, we show the world what it looks like to be followers of Christ.

Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. (Ephesians 4:3 NIV)

Even when we get distracted by other gifts God has given us, we can still be people of love and peace. God gives us gifts through the power of His Spirit, but those gifts are never forced on us. We choose whether we will enjoy and exercise those gifts for their intended purpose. God lets us choose, even after we originally chose to come home to the Father through the Son and received the Holy Spirit.

The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets. For God is not a God of disorder but of peace... (1 Corinthians 14:32-33 NIV)

God's intended purpose for our gifts is simple: build up His Body. The Church should be a safe place for all to come. It should also be filled with people who want to draw near to God, use God's gifts for God's glory, and who desire to make disciples of all nations. Our gifts should build up the Body of Christ. When we do, we experience peace.

Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. (Romans 14:19 NIV)

You see, peace becomes a kind of barometer for us all. When we are walking together with God, we experience peace. When we sin, we do not have peace. When we are tempted, we do not experience peace. When we are spiritually attacked, we do not feel peace. Peace is something we must pursue. When we do, we achieve much more than peace.

For, "Whoever would love life and see good days must...seek peace pursue it... (1 Peter 3:10-12 NIV)

So how about you? Do you experience peace? Is the Church a place that builds you up and helps you find peace? Do you pursue peace?