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Writings of David Chadwell Romans 14:19 "So then let us pursue the things
which make for peace and the building up of one another."
An incredible bond exists between Jesus Christ, his disciple, and peace. Paul’s
epistles’ emphasis coupling peace and existence in Christ is astounding! There
are far too many examples to note all of them in this brief writing. Consider
just a few examples.
Paul commonly opened his letters with a greeting of peace—peace and Christian
existence belong together! (Romans 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:3; 2 Corinthians 1:2;
Galatians 1:3; Ephesians 1:2; Philippians 1:2; Colossians 1:2; 1 Thessalonians
1:1; 2 Thessalonians 1:2; 1 Timothy 1:2; 2 Timothy 1:2; Titus 1:4; Philemon 1:3)
He also frequently mentioned "peace" when he closed a letter.
Romans 5:1 "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God
through our Lord Jesus Christ,"
Romans 14:17 "…for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but
righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit."
Romans 14:19 "So then let us pursue the things which make for peace and
the building up of one another."
1 Corinthians 7:15 "… but God has called us to peace."
Galatians 5:22, 23 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,
patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self- control; against
such things there is no law."
Ephesians 4:3 "…being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the
bond of peace."
Philippians 4:7 "And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension,
will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Colossians 3:15 "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which
indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful."
Existence in this physical world is filled with anxiety! All of us experience
the anxiety of failed promises, hostile circumstances, and defeated
expectations. Physically speaking, what we ‘want’ is forever out of alignment
with what we ‘have.’ Our world, our circumstances, our possessions, our earthly
ambitions, our education, our jobs, our accomplishments, or our leisure are
never an enduring source of peace. Inwardly there is this unsettling sense of
turmoil that seems to constantly haunt us, constantly call attention to our
emptiness, and constantly remind us of why we should be afraid.
Being in Christ will not change the world, or circumstances, or possessions, or
ambitions, or educations, or jobs, or accomplishments, or leisure. Being in
Christ changes us. Even when all about us rages in the winds, waves, and mists
of uncertainty, God grants us peace in Jesus Christ. In Christ there is a sense
of calm when all else is in turmoil. Why? In Christ we live for something bigger
than the moment of ‘now’ called the eternal.
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Writings of David Chadwell
