Peace!

Peace. We enjoy it. We appreciate when we are at peace within ourselves. We are glad when we have peace with others and they with us. We have a heavy weight lifted when we are at peace with God. And that is His desire. The peace with God is a peace that can exist even when there may be no peace around us (note John 16:33) and thus we can still have peace within ourselves as we trust in Him.

As Paul was drawing his second letter to the church at Corinth to a close, he exhorted. . .
"Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, LIVE IN PEACE; AND THE GOD OF LOVE AND PEACE WILL BE WITH YOU." ( 2 Corinthians 13:11 ESV)

Because of conflict and divisions among them (i.e. 2 Corinthians 12:20 & 1 Corinthians 1:10) Paul had written two letters urging toward their drawing together in closer unity and addressed the genuineness of his relationship with them. How would the world come to understand THE GOD OF PEACE if peace was not seen among themselves. God was not to be seen as some of the Greek gods who had to be appeased because of their anger. Rather God was to be revealed in their lives as the One Who loves and always has mankind's best in mind.

Jesus taught. . .
"Blessed are the PEACEMAKERS, for they shall be called SONS OF GOD." ( Matthew 5:9 ESV)

Like Father, like child. Though neither He will -- nor should we -- compromise the truth or lower His standard for living, we are still to be PEACEMAKERS. And the greatest peace we can help bring to the lives of others is to bring them to the Lord where they can truly find rest for their souls. ( Matthew 11:29) As we keep our own focus on God and rely on His guidance we can maintain the peace He desires for us to create and experience. May THE GOD OF PEACE be with us.

Have a great day EXHIBITING THIS CHARACTERISTIC OF GOD!
Carl

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