Peacemaking 101Sample

AT PEACE WITH OTHERS' ACTIONS

Once we understand the importance of peace in Christ's salvation plan, we start looking at other people differently. Embracing forgiveness for ourselves and others brings us to a place of peace with other people's actions.

Instead of looking for revenge, we make peace by accepting that we will sometimes be wronged by others. In Luke 6, Jesus' instruction is not only addressed at "those who may have enemies", He tells everybody to love their enemies. Nobody goes through life without being hurt or cheated at some point. Jesus teaches us to be prepared for how we are going to act when it happens. "Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for he is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked" (Luke 6:35, NLT).

In 1 Corinthians 6, Paul gives a practical example that probably leaves most of us a bit uncomfortable. "Even to have such lawsuits with one another is a defeat for you. Why not just accept the injustice and leave it at that? Why not let yourselves be cheated?" (1 Corinthians 6:7, NLT). That is radical!

Do you believe that justice should prevail when you were wronged by someone else? What would happen if you decided not to seek justice?

Let us build peace around us by looking for peace rather than being right. If each believer displays the peace of Christ by letting one wrongful action go, who knows what the world might be like! 

"But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:44-45, NLT).