Peace Is a Beautiful Thing
Joel and I have been married for thirty years. We've raised two children together, built two houses together, built a business together, and now we're leading one of the greatest churches in the nation together. Together. When I look back, I can see that it's not because we're so smart or so privileged. It's because we've walked together in peace and unity. Now that doesn't mean we agree on everything. We don't see eye to eye all the time. But we have agreed to walk together "with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" (Ephesians 4:1–3).
Why is it so important keep the bond of peace in our lives? Because you will not agree with everyone all the time. We have to realize that doesn't make one person right and the other person wrong. We have to recognize that we are different people with different opinions, and this is what makes us different. But that doesn't have to fragment us. That does not have to cause us to be angry or bitter toward each another. We can maintain the bond of peace. That's where we find the common ground.
Who gives us this peace? The Holy Spirit. The apostle Paul said that "the kingdom of God is…righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit" (Romans 14:17). You have to be in relationship with God before you can ever be in relationship and peace with anyone else. When you are at peace with God, you can be at peace with others. The Bible talks about God's presence reigning in peace through our lives. If you want the power of God in your life, maintain your relationships through the bond of peace. Peace doesn't hold grudges. Peace isn't bitter. Peace is willing to be wrong. Peace doesn't have to be right all the time. Peace doesn't have to have its own way. Peace is a place of power. Peace trusts. Peace believes the best. Peace is a beautiful thing.
Why is it so important keep the bond of peace in our lives? Because you will not agree with everyone all the time. We have to realize that doesn't make one person right and the other person wrong. We have to recognize that we are different people with different opinions, and this is what makes us different. But that doesn't have to fragment us. That does not have to cause us to be angry or bitter toward each another. We can maintain the bond of peace. That's where we find the common ground.
Who gives us this peace? The Holy Spirit. The apostle Paul said that "the kingdom of God is…righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit" (Romans 14:17). You have to be in relationship with God before you can ever be in relationship and peace with anyone else. When you are at peace with God, you can be at peace with others. The Bible talks about God's presence reigning in peace through our lives. If you want the power of God in your life, maintain your relationships through the bond of peace. Peace doesn't hold grudges. Peace isn't bitter. Peace is willing to be wrong. Peace doesn't have to be right all the time. Peace doesn't have to have its own way. Peace is a place of power. Peace trusts. Peace believes the best. Peace is a beautiful thing.