Do You Pursue Peace?

EA · #1 02-19-2009, 04:33 PM

We had an awesome Bible Study at church last night. The Bible Study was about the pursuit of peace. The Study was held in a round table format with lots of input from everyone.

As I began, I asked scribes to record our comments. One scribe recorded all of the things we agreed were enemies of peace. Things like unnecessary debt, unhealthy relationships, gossip and so on. The list was quite lengthy.

We agreed that, quite often, peace escapes us because of situations we CAUSE in our own lives. We take on unnecessary debts because of greed or impatience, which leads to turmoil down the road. We say things we shouldn't which leads to relationsips being strained. We involve ourselves in lustful or adulterous relationships, as a substitute for real intimacy with our spouse, which leads to the complete breakdown of the family.

These issues, this turmoil, descends on us because of our own fleshly desires.

It is my opinion that we must desire peace more than we desire fleshly fulfillment. 1 Timothy 6:6 says this. "But godliness with contentment is great gain."

The Psalmist said that we are to pursue peace. Search after it as a detective would search for clues.

Psalm 34:14 Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.

On another sheet we wrote down all of the things that brought us peace. Of course there were the obvious spiritual things like prayer, Bible reading and church fellowship. But there were other things as well. Things like exercise, fishing, solitude, music and family.

To our dismay, we realized that we neglected these treasured things entirely too often. We agreed to refocus on the things that bring us peace.

I guess the bottom line is this.

Peace is not accidental. We cannot sit by idly, hoping our lives will change and become more peaceful. Instead, we must pursue peace. Make an effort to be peaceful. Determine to live peaceably.

This may mean severing some unhealthy relationships. This may mean that we take on zero new debt for quite some time. This may mean turning off angry radio, logging off AFF or putting down the newspaper.

Peace comes with a price tag attached.

Self-denial.

Pursue peace.

mizpeh · #2 02-19-2009, 04:46 PM

One of my favorite verses from the proverbs is about wisdom.... her ways are ways of pleasantness and all of her paths are peace.

Ferd · #3 02-19-2009, 04:46 PM

Dude, this is very very good.

may I rip you off and use this in my sundayschool class?

EA · #4 02-19-2009, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ferd

Dude, this is very very good.

may I rip you off and use this in my sundayschool class?

Sure, Bro.

The round table thing was very effective.

Ferd · #5 02-19-2009, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edward Anglin

Sure, Bro.

The round table thing was very effective.

I generally do a modified version.

our people seem to respond better to give and take than a one sided talk.

we are doing a study of 2 Peter right now that has been very very good.

when we are done, I think this might be where we go.

thanks for that.

Esther · #6 02-20-2009, 08:31 AM

Very good, we are working towards this type of Bible Study, trying to get more discussion going vs complete lecture.

freeatlast · #7 02-20-2009, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edward Anglin

Sure, Bro.

The round table thing was very effective.

Sounds very charistmatic. Next you'll be serving juice and yogurt during your lesson.

Just kidding Ed. Very good thoughts in there.

It is a shame that Christians have not taken the lead in pursuing financial responsibilty or working towards zero debt.

I recall hearing some Christians at one time speaking of charging all they could
because, after all, Jesus was coming soon and we would leave all that debt behind.