Shalom

The peace we bring into our everyday relationships is evidence of what Jesus is doing in our lives – healing us, moving us to be changed to be more like him. We are to live peaceably in a world of hate and division within religious theology and political philosophy.  This seems like an impossible feat.  But that is when the impossible is made possible because of Jesus in us.  There is no greater testimony than when we carry out God’s peace.  Our peace is not dependent on what others do but on how we live our lives.  Trading drama for peace can make all the difference in the relationships around us. We are all hurting and feel justified in our actions.  At the end of the day holding on to bitterness and anger don’t help us move forward but keeps us tangled in knots of defeat.  Paul was teaching the peace gospel during the same challenging times we are experiencing today.  His teaching was causing disruptions in all the same ways Christianity is at odds with religious, political, and financial systems today.  As he was asking people to leave idol worship, he was also asking people to leave their commercial support of the idol worship economy. This would undoubtedly cause hatred toward those who left their trade. Paul was asking Jewish, Christian, and Roman people to live peaceably in every situation in all of their life influences.  Salt is vital in the human body.  In order to survive, our bodies have to have this essential ingredient as part of their extracellular fluid.  This ingredient allows them to transport oxygen and nutrients within the body and helps to maintain the fluid volume and acid-base balance in our bodies.  Our Christ like lives can like salt make a difference in the lives around us by allowing peace to flow from our lives into those within our sphere of influence. Jesus told us we are the salt of the earth. This means we are to serve as a healing agent to this hurting, sick, and dying world. We are called to be peacemakers and help heal broken relationships. Matthew 5:13 ESV Jesus told us we are the salt of the earth. This means we are to serve as a healing agent to this hurting, sick, and dying world. We are called to be peacemakers and help heal broken relationships. John 14:27 ESV 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. Romans 12:18 ESV 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Isaiah 9:6 ESV 6 For to us a child is born,     to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon[a] his shoulder,     and his name shall be called[b] Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,     Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.