Do What Is Just

Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.

Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

                                                                                   (Phil 4:4-9 KJV)

Rejoice! Do what is right. Do what is good! Do what is virtuous!

Trouble comes in larger quantities when we focus on twisting the truth; when we focus on vengeance rather than justice; whenever we put ourselves first to the detriment of others.

St. Paul encourages the Philippians and us to do what is right and rejoice. I have heard such slanderous gossip lately that it just boggles my mind. The only positive thing that comes from it, if there is one, is that the true spirit of those who do this is revealed. All we can do is pray that their eyes, ears, and hearts be opened so that they might repent and give glory to God for the good things that he has ordained for us.

Vengeance and attacks on perceived enemies will get us no where except stuck in the muck and mire. It will cause much animosity. However, when we focus on and follow in the way that Jesus, who is the truth, has set before us the peace of God will be with us.

Do what is right. Do what is just. Live in peace and rejoice!

God's peace - Pr. J.

God's Peace Be With You

Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.” John 20:21-23 ESV

Peace be with you. I know that there are some who really dislike sharing the peace during Worship. I hear lots of reasons for this. "It's flu season and we don't want to get sick" is one of the biggest reasons. But, often I see congregations using that only as an excuse for not wanting to be too close to other brothers or sisters in Christ. 

Most of you have who know me have probably noticed that when I greet people, I usually greet them with these words, "God's peace be with you" or simply "God's peace." When we share this greeting with others, we are letting them know that we do not want there to be any animosity between us. We are in essence telling the other person that whatever sins they have committed against us, they are forgiven. When we share the peace of the Lord, we are saying let us be reconciled to one another through our Lord, Jesus Christ because by the blood of Christ we are reconciled, so let us live in that truth!

The peace of God which surpasses all understanding comes when we know that we have been forgiven our sins and are now reconciled to God our Father through the blood of Jesus Christ. We, you and I have received the Holy Spirit so that we might go out proclaiming this Good News of reconciliation through Jesus so that others also might know this peace. So, if the Holy Spirit truly abides within us, then I would think that we would actually go and share the peace with others; forgiving them their sins; being reconciled to one another.

When we share God's peace, we are not only forgiving others any offenses, we are also asking them to forgive us for anything we may have done to offend them. In order for there to be peace; in order for their to be genuine reconciliation, we must forgive and be forgiven.

God's peace be with you all - Pr. J