men.

You may remember how it is important to show love and joy in our lives as Christians, not only for ourselves but because it is part of our witness and will result in a harvest of believers in Jesus Christ.  Being peace-loving has the same effect.

Jas 3:17-18   But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.

Being a peacemaker, however, does not mean that we stop discerning and try to be in unity with those who do not believe.  We are called to separate ourselves from unbelievers and false believers.  But we still reach out to them in love and peace.  We do not curse them but rather pray for them.  We try to pull them from the fire.

Jude 1:23   snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear--hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.

We are to be in perfect unity with those who are true believers, and be a witness to those who are not through peace, not through strife and conflict.  Jesus Christ continues to strive through His Spirit to reach those who have never believed or who have turned away.  We can do no less.

Stories Of Peacemakers

Conflict

The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported that firefighters in Genoa, Texas, were accused of deliberately setting more than forty destructive fires.  When caught, they stated, "We had nothing to do.  We just wanted to get the red lights flashing and the bells clanging."

The job of firefighters is to put out fires, not start them.  The job of Christians is to help resolve conflict (Matt. 5:9), not start more of it.

Matt. 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.

A Pig for a Pig

It was the 1930's on a northern Canadian prairie.  The height of the Great Depression.  Jansen family was share-cropping but then lost their farm.  A friend told them of a farm across from Jud Brewster.  Few lasted there because Jud was so mean.  But Mr. Jansen said, "I'll just kill him."

They moved to the new farm.  One week later, Brewster appeared at their door in a rage.  Their chickens were bothering him, and he threatened to kill them.  The family locked them up in the henhouse.

There was peace for a time, then he showed up again.  "Jansen, your pigs have been in my garden.  They'll never get in my garden again!"  There, in Brewster's wagon, was their herd of young pigs, all dead.  He had shot each of them.  Without saying a word, Mr. Jansen buried the pigs.

A few weeks later one of the Jansen boys came rushing into the house.  "Daddy, go get a gun quick.  Jud Brewster's pigs are in our garden!"  The kids could already taste revenge.  The father replied, "We won't need a gun.  Round up the pigs."