Topic: Peace with People Follows Peace with God [RICK WARREN Devotional 19 May 2021]
Click HERE for Previous MESSAGES
Peace with People Follows Peace with God
“There is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus.”
1 Timothy 2:5 (NIV)When you have conflict, focus on reconciliation, not resolution.
There’s a big difference between those two words. Reconciliation means re-establishing the relationship. Resolution means resolving every issue.
In most cases, resolution isn’t going to happen—there are some things you’ll just never agree on.
Can you have a loving relationship without agreeing on everything? Absolutely. But it takes wisdom. When you’re wise, you learn to disagree without being disagreeable; you learn to walk hand in hand without having to see eye to eye.
One of the greatest things you can do with your life is be a bridge builder, not a wall builder. You are most like Jesus Christ when you are reconciling people. That’s exactly what Jesus came to do! God sent Jesus to Earth to reconcile humanity with God.
Jesus is the great reconciler. The Bible says, “There is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5 NIV).
But you cannot make peace with other people until you make peace with God. If you find yourself in constant conflict, ask yourself whether you’ve made peace with God. You can make peace with God by repenting of your sins and dedicating your life to serving him (see the prayer below).
The Bible calls Jesus the Prince of Peace. Peace with God leads to peace with yourself, which leads to peace with others.
- Is there a relationship where you’ve been trying unsuccessfully for resolution? What step can you take toward reconciliation instead?
- How have you been encouraged by a Christian who’s a bridge builder, not a wall builder?
- Are you at peace with God? If not, what’s keeping you from making peace with him today?
How to Make Peace With God
You can make peace with God by repenting of your sins and dedicating your life to serving him. The Bible calls Jesus the Prince of Peace. Do you need to get peace in your heart by letting the Prince of Peace inside? If so, pray this today:
“Dear Jesus, I know that I can’t have peace with myself and others until I have peace with you. I don’t want my sin to separate me from you any longer. You have promised that if I believe in you, everything I’ve ever done wrong will be forgiven, I will learn the purpose of my life, and you will accept me into your eternal home in heaven one day.
“I confess my sin, and I believe you are my Savior. You have promised that if I confess my sin and trust you, I will be saved. I trust you when you say salvation comes by grace, through faith, and not by anything I do. I receive you into my life as my Lord. Today, I’m turning over every part of my life to your management.
“You are the Prince of Peace, and I ask you to bring your peace to my life and relationships. I want to live the way you created me to live and use the rest of my life to serve you instead of serving myself. I commit my life to you and ask you to save me and accept me into your family. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.”