OVERCOMING THE NORM
Monday, October 09, 2017
Matthew [MKJV]
5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers! For they shall be
called the sons of God.
John 14:27;
16:33 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you.
Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled,
neither let it be afraid. … I have
spoken these things to you so that you might have peace in Me. In the world you
shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer. I have overcome the world. [Rom.8:37;
1Jn.4:4; 5:4; Rev.12:11]
The level of ambient
peace we enjoy is Pax Americana, peace at the tip of a spear. The spear being
laws enforced by agencies and uniforms domestically and foreign. To expect utopian
peace, “an ideal and perfect place or state where everyone lives in harmony and
everything is for the best” (Encarta Dictionary) is not only unrealistic. It is
in opposition to Romans 12:2 contrarian mindfulness: worldly philosophy hostile
to provided biblical thought and individual personal peace.
Chaos is the
norm. Peace is not the norm. Though I continue to enjoy Pax Americana I don’t naively
expect utopian ambient peace. Being a reader of history and this morning’s
Omaha World-Herald I know Pax Americana is fragile at best. For me to think
otherwise is baggage hindering my desire to serve Him all my days.
Our
responsibility as citizens of God’s kingdom (Phil.3:20) surrounded by pandemonium
in the world, nation, cultures, neighborhood, family and friends, and yes, even
in church congregations . . . is to in godliness not only not contribute to the
turmoil, but to go beyond as “blessed peacemakers”. Doing so in compliance to God’s guidance - thinking
and acting as His 1Corinthians 13 people et al, for doing so is our responsibility
and privilege. (Jn.1:12; 2Cor.5:14-21)
Does God score us
on whether we are successful peacemakers? No. Will we be evaluated as to
whether we served Him and our fellows as peacemakers? Yes. It is as with Jesus,
by this world’s standards failing to bring peace, but pleasing to His Father as
Jesus did not His own will. (Jn.5:30-31)
Will those
thinking in worldly conformation understand? They do not. Adam Clarke in his
Commentary, writing on John 16:33, explains “My apparent weakness shall be my
victory; my ignominy shall be my glory; and the victory which the world, the
devil, and my adversaries in general, shall appear to gain over me, shall be
their own lasting defeat, and my eternal triumph. - Fear not!“ To this truth we
as followers of Christ are to subscribe and act upon. Though not always the
easiest task, we are to endeavor to do so.
EBB4
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