Keys: Part 11

Keep the Peace

You will never rise above the level of what you believe. In order to receive, you have to believe. You have to believe in your heart, not in your head. Believing is doing. It is what you do that allows God to do what He can do. You do what you believe. Hearing and doing the Word will allow you to be blessed. Whatever you expose yourself to the most is what you become like. If you sow, it is impossible to prevent the harvest from coming – you just may not be reaping it. A double-minded person won’t receive anything from God.

The good life is meant for every person on this planet, but you have to believe it in order to receive it. If you are led by the spirit, you will seek out God. God keeps His Word. He will bring it to pass. You have to believe, not think, because by believing you will do it. What you see has absolutely no bearing on whether you are an heir of God. You need to feed your faith, not your doubt.

Peacemakers are hard, not soft (Matthew 5:9). There are three distinct categories of peace – the peace of God, peace from God and peace with God. You need the peace of God to be a peacemaker. True peace only comes from Jesus Christ (John 14:27). It is your responsibility to not be afraid. Jesus armed us with His very own peace. You have to change your life. The world will try to press you, but Jesus has overcome the world (John 16:33). As you walk in peace, you will get more understanding. God’s peace is beyond understanding (Philippians 4:7)

There are situations where it is not possible to live peaceably with all men (Romans 12:18). Defend yourself, but don’t start trouble. Leave the vengeance to God. Be a responsible citizen, trusting God to take care of you (Romans 13:1-5). If you stand for Christ, you will be a responsible citizen.

Keys: Part 10

Keys to The Good Life
Part 10
Keep the Peace

Conditions do not hamper God. Why let what you see determine what you feel when God has already made His plans for you known? If you operate by what you see, you forfeit what you don’t see! Go ahead and receive this good news!

We’ve covered seven keys up to this point. These keys access: the Kingdom of Heaven; comfort; sastisfaction/being filled beyond capacity; mercy; and [the need to] be One with God.
The key we’ll discuss today is your reputation, the gift of being called a child of God.

Contrasting Matthew 5:9, reads, “Cursed are the troublemakers for they shall be called the sons of Satan.” Many believers are too soft, not against other believers, but against the world. Jesus told us not to conform to the world. Peacemakers aren’t soft. Some would actually accuse peacemakers of not being very “Christ-like” because they don’t allow folks to have their own way. Stop compromising with the world!

1. True peace only comes from Jesus Christ.
You must first have peace in your own life before you can become a peacemaker. Deal with the fear in your life (John 14:27). Conquer the challenges you face (John 16:33). Living in the midst of conflict, how can anyone be soft? Jesus laid his life down, it wasn’t taken. Be wise as a serpent and harmless as a dove.

A peace beyond understanding (Philippians 4:4 7). This passage references distinctly the peace of God. In prayer, talk with God about a specific request and offer thanksgiving. Don't wait until after you receive your request to thank Him. God gave you peace to guard and protect your heart as well as your mind. This peace is beyond your realm of understanding or comprehension. Not understanding doesn’t prevent you from flowing in it! We may not know how a car works, but still love driving it! Humble yourself under the mighty Hand of God. There are instances where it’s not possible to live peaceably with all people (Romans 12:18). But inasmuch as it depends on you, be in peace with all.

Jesus’ teaching and claims require a decision. You could come to God in various ways, but you won’t know Him as Daddy. You have been called to a relationship, not religion.

Defend yourself, but don’t start trouble. Christians are not doormats. You have a right to protect yourself; your body belongs to the Lord and was bought with a price.

Leave the vengeance/retaliation/retribution to God. If God taught this in the Old Covenant, how much more so will He strive to protect His own in the New Covenant? Don’t stand in the way of the Lord’s wrath (Romans 12:18-20). Your back is covered!

Your job is to submit yourself to order because all power is ordained by God. Every soul is to be in submission to governmental power. We’ll discuss this in further depth next week.