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November 17, 1998, Tuesday
What is the end result for those strive and work to make
peace? What is the end result for those who do not permit
their lives to be controlled by a higher nature? What safety
can be found by making peace?
James tells us that the "good fruit" is produced by God
in the heart of the believer and "good fruit" of outward
actions is a result----"Now the fruit of righteousness is
sown in peace by those who make peace" (James 3:18).
The believer is no longer against the ways of God, but in
agreement with His will.
Paul tells us that the mind and life set on fulfilling its
own desires is a futile pursuit that ends in disaster--"For
to be carnally minded is death, but to the mind spiritually
controlled is life and peace" (Rom 8:6). When the Holy Spirit
controls the mind, He is seeking to avert danger and disaster
that one might have life and have it more abundantly.
The writer of the Hebrews tells us that a sinful woman was
able to avoid disaster by making peace with the agents of
God and believing their message--"By faith the harlot Rahab
did not perish with those who did not believe, when she
safely hid the spies with peace" (Heb 11:31). Her simple
faith and acceptance of God's message saved her life and
she was not destroyed with the rest of the city.
Let us remember who is the God that is our peace. God's
name is Jehová Shalom. He is the God that puts His peace
all around His people. He is the God that is helping us
learn His ways. The Psalmist had the calm assurance of
knowing that his praises to God brought contentment and
peace: "I will praise you as long as I live, and in Your
Name I will lift up my hands" (Psa 63:4). Lift your hands
to Him and Praise Him today for the fact that He is the
God that guards us with His peace!
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