"Come now, let us reason together.."
Isaiah 1:18
"As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
Proverbs 27:17
We all know the old adage, "If you don't have anything good to say, don't say anything at all."
Perhaps this is rhetorically correct, but sometimes isn't an uncomfortable discussion or confrontation necessary - that may bring provocation and conflict-before reconciliation or peace can be achieved? Let me rephrase this: What happens when no confrontation comes?
Let me propose to you: Not peace, not reconciliation, but unrest and more trouble.
Matthew 5:9 reads : "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God".
Peace is the result, when contention and unrest are dealt with thereby bringing reconciliation and sought. Sometimes making peace is the result of a battle, or on a personal relationship level,
the result of some wrestling and exposing things that may be unpleasant to discuss,
but nonetheless must be worked through, in love, to resolution.
Peace keepers are not the same as peace makers;
peace keeping is nonconfrontational but never deals with the issues.
The UN "peacekeepers are the foremost example I can think of here.
Being confrontational doesn't mean being unloving...it means that you care enough to resolve, it takes courage, love and a sound mind, and may require even sacrificing personal comfort levels to remedy. Offense, bitterness, and hurtful thoughts, real or imagined, grow and thrive in fertile pastures of nonconfrontation.
So, beloved, don't confuse the two: peace making or peace keeping.
Today, let's ask God to help make us peacemakers.
Isaiah 1:18
"As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
Proverbs 27:17
We all know the old adage, "If you don't have anything good to say, don't say anything at all."
Perhaps this is rhetorically correct, but sometimes isn't an uncomfortable discussion or confrontation necessary - that may bring provocation and conflict-before reconciliation or peace can be achieved? Let me rephrase this: What happens when no confrontation comes?
Let me propose to you: Not peace, not reconciliation, but unrest and more trouble.
Matthew 5:9 reads : "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God".
Peace is the result, when contention and unrest are dealt with thereby bringing reconciliation and sought. Sometimes making peace is the result of a battle, or on a personal relationship level,
the result of some wrestling and exposing things that may be unpleasant to discuss,
but nonetheless must be worked through, in love, to resolution.
Peace keepers are not the same as peace makers;
peace keeping is nonconfrontational but never deals with the issues.
The UN "peacekeepers are the foremost example I can think of here.
Being confrontational doesn't mean being unloving...it means that you care enough to resolve, it takes courage, love and a sound mind, and may require even sacrificing personal comfort levels to remedy. Offense, bitterness, and hurtful thoughts, real or imagined, grow and thrive in fertile pastures of nonconfrontation.
So, beloved, don't confuse the two: peace making or peace keeping.
Today, let's ask God to help make us peacemakers.
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