Making Peace Our Lifestyle预览

Our Response to Peace

When we hear the good news of Christ as the Prince of Peace, we must respond. This includes adjusting any attitude that is contrary to His truth. Let’s discuss three of the most common peace-negating attitudes.

First is the “if you only knew” attitude. When people who are living in the past hear that the penalty of their guilt has been paid and there is nothing to separate them from God’s goodness, they often think to themselves, “If you only knew.”

My friend, the past does not matter. God, who knows everything about you, extended His tender mercy toward you. He already knew everything about you when He gave His Son for you. Get rid of the “if you only knew” attitude and allow peace to be your new reality.

Second is the “it doesn’t matter” attitude. There are people who cling to the attitude that they are not important. They know that redemption includes them, but they have believed the lie that they are not of sufficient worth to receive God’s blessings. They may know intellectually that their life has great value, but they allow an attitude of defeat to remain fixed in their minds.

If this is you, then I plead with you now, on behalf of the Prince of Peace, to remove this negative and self-destructive attitude that says, “It doesn’t matter” or “I don’t matter.” The truth is that everything concerning you does matter to God. If you have a desire in your heart, it matters. If you have a need in your life, it matters.

Third is the “yes, but…” attitude. There are those who know that God is not mad at them and understand that His gift is a gift of grace and mercy. They will say amen to the truth, then in their next breath add, “Yes, but I have this problem,” or “Yes, but I have to work this out first.”

Allow the Prince of Peace to replace the “yes, but…” attitude with one of total peace in every area of your life. Remember that God is not mad at you. He is happy with you. If God is on your side, then who can be against you? Who can separate you from God and His love, power, and victory? Do not allow the “yes, but…” attitude to nullify God’s gift of peace to you.