Peace... Mission Impossible?

PEACE… MISSION IMPOSSIBLE?

 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Romans 12.18

….Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. Romans 14.19

….Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters. Romans 13.1

Peace in the world – That  seems impossible for one person to achieve or have an effect.  But I think there are many things we do and say within our families, work places and communities, with out giving a thought of the ripples of negativism and even hate that it produces.  Putting down other faiths, painting all of one particular faith with one brush, even childish criticism about one particular political party over another certainly does not lead to peace, or even to a hope for peace. 

 Living our Christian beliefs we must see that no matter whom someone is or what they believe, they are known and loved by God. They carry the image of God with in them, and that alone makes them worthy of respect.  Respect DOES NOT MEAN that you agree with them. But it does mean that you do not denigrate them, belittle them, discount them because of what they believe.

As Christians, we are charged to share Christ with them by what we do and what we say.  If you want to have people see things your way, you need to give them the dignity of hearing them out and seeing the world from their viewpoint. That is what Jesus would did, and would have us do!  Peace in the world will begin with each one of us.

Pastor Susan Vergeront