As people of peace we should be committed to it. Look at
Abraham. He showed his commitment through compromise. (Gen. 13:5-12) We need to
go as far as we can to maintain peace. We must go as far as is necessary,
without sacrificing righteousness, to keep peace. (Matt. 5:39-40) We cause our
own strife. It comes from our own desires for pleasure. This draws out all
kinds of discord. We should be committed enough to peace to draw near to
God to cleanse our hands and hearts. (James 4:1-8) We must be
willing to make sacrifices for peace. (1 Cor. 6:7; Rm. 14:13) We must be
willing to be wrong for peace. We must be willing to be cheated for peace. We
must be willing to be the weaker brother. We need to do this less we put a
stumbling block in our brother’s way. We do not want our brethren to fall
because of our inability to maintain peace.
Mature souls have an understanding that transcends the world. Often, it even goes beyond those around them. The hope we have in Christ is beyond anything in this world. All man’s pursuits will never reach what God gives us in eternity. This hope anchors us in Christ, “This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the presence behind the veil” (Hebrews 6:19). As much as this anchor is tried and confirmed, there is still more to understand. Mature souls understand that worthy efforts may go unrewarded. In Christ, even our most significant accomplishments are simply out of obedience to Him. Jesus made it clear with this statement, “So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do” (Luke 17:10). The reality is those mature souls retain high hopes but know that worthy efforts may go unrewarded. Yet, they hold tight to those hopes and stay true to ...
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