Pledge Peace

    "Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification," Romans 14:19. I've read this verse before but now that I realize how much I could apply this to my life I see more than just a few words written down on a page. I have had trouble getting this like everyone else has at one moment in their life. I recognize that in the situations I am facing I can try even harder to make peace. The Greek word for peace is "eirene" which is the same kind of peace that the Hebrew word "shalom" translates. It is the wholeness of one's soul that is not affected by the circumstances going on around them.

    I've been going through a lot lately and it's been shaking me up. I have been trying very carefully to not let it shake my faith because in all honesty I cannot imagine my life in complete absence of God. It's impossible for me and I would not want it any other way. I know that a lot of my sin has been the cause for my weary soul and being able to forgive myself is like trying to forgive someone who murdered me. Yes, I do mean me and not someone close to me because I know that I am the one who is killing my soul. I am the one who chooses to sin. No one chooses it for me. I find it easier to forgive others because I know that I cannot control those people and I do know I can control myself. It's just like what is written in Romans 7:15, "For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate."

    My flesh gets the best of me. The pleasure is momentary, the consequences are just, and the judgement is honorable. In order to attain peace in my heart I need to edify my soul just as we are to have mutual edification amongst us in order to make peace present. What do we do in order to strive for peace? Make every effort. That may mean dismissing ourselves from any situation that could tempt us and forgiving ourselves for the sins we have committed once we have repented or that may mean drowning out any dismay you may have between one another by addressing a situation in order to seek understanding. If we look at the context it is talking about not causing one another to stumble. In Romans 14 the example given is the partaking of certain foods. Paul, the author of Romans, also gives the example of drinking wine. As fellow believers we may be able to drink a glass of wine without it being an obstacle to our faith, but if our decision to drink is causing another believer to fall then we should not do this around them for several reasons. It can also cause discord among believers which is not making an effort for peace, but for division.

    In my life I have trouble making peace with others because I can't make peace within myself with what I have been trying to do to get there. I have had to learn that in order to make an effective attempt with making peace with other people I need to seek God for peace and for the ability to forgive myself for my mistakes and learn not to do it again. Sometime last week a song popped into my head that I hadn't listened to in a very long time. It is "You Raise Me Up" by: Josh Groban. Here are some of the lyrics:

When I am down and, oh my soul, so weary;

When troubles come and my heart burdened be;

Then, I am still and wait here in the silence,

Until you come and sit awhile with me.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;

You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;

I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;

You raise me up... To more than I can be. 

    I know that God can do wonders in my life because He has before and I will never stop believing that. He is our Healer and can give us the peace we need. God states that in His Word:

My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest. (Exodus 33:14)

It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed. (Deuteronomy 31:8)

I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. (Psalm 16:8)

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war rise up against me, yet I will be confident. (Psalm 27: 1, 3)

You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. (Psalm 32:7-8)

Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my help and my God. By day the Lord commands his steadfast love, and at night his son is with me, a prayer to the God of my life. (Psalm 42: 5,8)