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Play Ball!
If it is possible ... live at peace with everyone. Romans 12:18
There are three dimensions to the peace that God offers to us through Christ: peace with God, peace with one another, and peace within ourselves. Many people care little about their relationships with God and other people, but they still want peace within themselves. As you will see, it is impossible to know genuine internal peace unless you also pursue peace with God and others.
Food for Thought
As a peacemaker, are you covering your bases?
The batter takes his stance. The pitcher winds up and throws. The batter swings and hits the ball, and immediately runs to... that's right -- first base. Unless you're watching a bunch of folks goofing off or a really young T-ball team, no batter is going to hit and then run to second base. That's just not how the game is played.
You run to first, then to second, and then on to third; you've got to cover all three bases.
Ken reminds us of the three peace bases for the followers of Christ: peace with God, peace with one another, and peace within ourselves. As believers we've got to cover all three bases -- that's how the Christian life is lived. Meditate for a few minutes on the following Scripture verses:
- Peace with God: Rom. 5:1 "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."
- Peace with others: 1 Thess. 5:13 "Live in peace with each other."
- Peace with self: Col. 3:15 "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace."
And once you've covered the three bases, you get to run... that's right -- HOME!
Resources to Help You Respond to Conflict Biblically
The Peacemaking Church Resource Set is a three-part discipleship initiative designed to change the way you think about conflict and help your church on its journey toward a Culture of Peace. Included is a box for the pastor to inspire the church, a box for the small groups to enable your entire church to learn the basic principles of personal peacemaking, and a box to embed a peacemaking team into the life of the church. You can order it through our online bookstore or by calling our Resource line at 800-711-7118.
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PeaceMeal is a weekly e-publication of Peacemaker Ministries (www.Peacemaker.net). All Rights Reserved.
Miss a PeaceMeal? If you've missed a past issue or have the need to reference a past issue, you can access them in our PeaceMeal archives. Issues will appear for approximately one year from date of publication.
Don't forget to pass the peace! If you found this PeaceMeal helpful please forward it to friends. If you'd like to reprint PeaceMeal in your church bulletin or newsletter each week, see the guidelines at www.Peacemaker.net.
Say your piece in PeaceMeal. We are looking for peacemakers from around the world to write the Food for Thought section of a future issue of PeaceMeal. How about you? Guidelines and more information can be found at www.Peacemaker.net.
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