Receive Peace and Fight With Peace for Peace
Receive Peace and Fight With Peace for Peace
Receive Peace and Fight With Peace for Peace
Receive Peace and Fight With Peace for Peace
Conflict is all around us. We get entangled in conflict very easily. We forget that Peace has conquered conflict. When Peace sets you free, Peace calls you into the conflict as an agent of Peace so that you will free others with Peace for the sake of their souls.
Conflict is all around us. We get entangled in conflict very easily. We forget that Peace has conquered conflict.
When Peace sets you free, Peace calls you into the conflict as an agent of Peace so that you will free others with Peace for the sake of their souls.
In his best selling book The Advantage, Patrick Lencioni, describes two types of conflict in the workplace – conflict with trust and conflict without trust. He makes the case that healthy conflict is the key to high-performing organizations. In his case, he is talking about healthy ideological conflict when everyone’s main concern is to find the right answer to help move the organization and its objectives forward. Lencioni then summarizes and points to another type of conflict at the same time.
"When there is trust, conflict becomes nothing but the pursuit of truth, an attempt to find the best possible answer. It is not only okay but desirable. Conflict without trust, however, is politics, an attempt to manipulate others in order to win an argument regardless of the truth." - Patrick Lencioni
At work, we are certainly called and even compensated to help our organizations pursue the best paths for all parties involved. Trust based ideological conflict finds the best answer — it is fundamental to our jobs.
For followers of Jesus, it's not only our job to engage in healthy conflict, it’s also our job to engage in the other type of conflict — where there is limited or no trust. It’s our God given responsibility to engage and care for people who appear to be only seeking their own advantages — even those who manipulate others.
The Prince of Peace came to resolve all types of conflicts and He enlists His followers to be agents of peace. But before we can become agents of peace we must be assured that we are free of all types of conflict.
Receive Peace
Let’s look at the 4 types of conflict we face and how we have been freed from each of them.
[.text-color-blue]1. Free from conflicts with other people[.text-color-blue] - Many of our conflicts involve wanting something we can't have and blaming other people — regardless of how guilty they are (Genesis 4:6-8). We even pray with the wrong motives (James 4:1-3) because we have our personal wants / desires as our central focus. The Prince of Peace caused one man, who everyone hated, to lose control of his greed and manipulation at the same time. Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.[.no-reftag] (Luke 19:8)[.no-reftag] Because Jesus gave him dignity and true freedom from control.
Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” - [.no-reftag] Luke 19:9-10[.no-reftag]
[.text-color-blue]2. Free of conflicts with nature[.text-color-blue] - Natural disasters are a source of conflict. We have no control over them and preparing for them can be stressful and futile. We have no control over nature (Romans 8:19-20). However, following Jesus provides hope of the new creation (Romans 8:21). Jesus is our source of peace and provides control over all of nature. Nothing is going to happen in nature that is not for the good of those He loves.
Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don't you care if we drown?” He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. - [.no-reftag]Mark 4:38-39[.no-reftag]
[.text-color-blue]3. Free from conflict with self[.text-color-blue] - This is actually the most prevalent conflict type. We mostly struggle with ourselves as we wonder what they should do, how we should act, and how not to be controlled by our desires. Jesus says, receive my peace, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” [.no-reftag](John 14:27)[.no-reftag] Jeusus says, “keep asking” and I will change your desires to be the same as mine (John 15:16).
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. - [.no-reftag]Philippians 4:6-7[.no-reftag]
[.text-color-blue]4. Free from the conflict with God[.text-color-blue] - All sin is conflict with God and we all sin every day. It is conflict with God that starts all other conflict. John Piper says, “All conflict in the world came from conflict with God and remains in the world until the conflict with God is removed.” Conflict with God is the greatest problem any of us face and it's the greatest problem in the world. All conflicts are based on selfish desires and expectations. This is true for political, domestic, economic, entertainment, and even sports (which is entertainment). All conflicts originate with “Did God really say?” (Genesis 3:1) and “why can’t I run my own life.” This is because we find ourselves obsessed with the things of this world instead of obsessed with the Creator of this world.
So what does God do with our sin, self-centeredness and disobedience? He creates the most perfect plan to satisfy a holy God by a perfect sinless Savior — His very own Son.
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. - [.no-reftag]Isaiah 9:6[.no-reftag]
Jesus, the Prince of Peace, has control over all things. There is no government, ruler, institution, company, church, sports team, or person who is not under His sovereign reign — just like all of nature. The reign of Jesus, the Prince of Peace, was established before the creation of the world, but in these last days, He came to us in the flesh (John 1:14) to demonstrate for us the character of God and to become a sacrifice that allows all of us to have access to God.
For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. - [.no-reftag] Colossians 1:19-20[.no-reftag]
John Piper says “This is the center: God substituting God to bear the punishment of God to make peace with sinners.”
If you don’t know the Prince of Peace or if you are not full of peace, based joyful contentment, don’t keep reading. Instead, go and read, watch, or listen to this incredible sermon Prince of What Peace? How Christmas Overcomes Our Conflicts from John Piper that explains what the Prince of Peace has done for you.
Fight With Peace for Peace
Do you believe this? The Prince of Peace offered His life for yours so that you would have peace. Spend your life — heart, mind, body, and soul — with the Prince of Peace to free others so that they will receive Peace.
Jesus calls us to do the very same work He did while we are here on earth. He gives us the same exact job description that God the Father gave Him.
Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” - [.no-reftag]John 20:21-22[.no-reftag]
The beatitudes are about understanding your blessedness and bestowing that blessing, especially the peace of Christ on others. The very first blessing from God that Jesus describes in the beatitudes is “Blessed are the poor in spirit,” and it comes with the all important promise that, “theirs is the kingdom of heaven” ([.no-reftag]Matthew 5:3[.no-reftag]). This beatitude is making it clear that we are nothing without God and that with Jesus we are the heirs of actually everything!
The kingdom of heaven is ours! The time for us to be fighting for “our stuff” and “our way” is over when we receive the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We don’t need to fight for what is already ours. We are heirs!
Our job now is to join God in bringing the Kingdom of God to earth now as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:9-10). The blessing of peace — freedom from conflict and sin — is that you now know you are “in cahoots with God.” You are now an agent of His Peace.
The seventh and eighth beatitudes clarify part of our kingdom on earth mission “Blessed are the peacemakers” and “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness.” And both of those beatitudes end with the affirmation that we are “children of God” and that “theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:9-10)
What a charge! What a promise! But, Jesus did not stop there. He continued on to say we should expect opposition and conflict on this mission of Peace.
“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” - [.no-reftag]Matthew 5:11-12[.no-reftag]
Expect for conflict to increase as you seek peace for others. Conflict and insults are part of the blessing. How is that? How can we do this?
[.text-color-blue]1. Admit often that you struggle with conflict based on your desires.[.text-color-blue] One of the reasons God uses imperfect men and women like us is to be a walking witness of His grace, mercy, and peace. When we admit we struggle we open the door for others to admit their struggles. When we tell them about our solutions, including our Peace, we open the door for them to accept the same Peace.
[.text-color-blue]2. Embrace the conflicting situations[.text-color-blue] you find yourself in life and work as opportunities to show others the way to Peace. If you are insulted, passed over, even slandered this may be an opportunity — the open door — to show your coworkers the Hope that you have that leads to Peace.
[.text-color-blue]3. Remember your destiny.[.text-color-blue] Know who you are — a child of God. Know where you are going — heaven. And, know for how long — forever. Know that these temporary struggles are creating a reward for you that is larger than you can think or imagine.
For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. - [.no-reftag]2 Corinthians 4:17-18[.no-reftag]
Resources:
Article: Gratitude Fuels Selflessness at Work | Howard Graham
Sermon: Prince of What Peace? How Christmas Overcomes Our Conflicts | John Piper
Video: The Advantage of Gratitude Based Selfless Action | Howard Graham
Conflict is all around us. We get entangled in conflict very easily. We forget that Peace has conquered conflict.
When Peace sets you free, Peace calls you into the conflict as an agent of Peace so that you will free others with Peace for the sake of their souls.
In his best selling book The Advantage, Patrick Lencioni, describes two types of conflict in the workplace – conflict with trust and conflict without trust. He makes the case that healthy conflict is the key to high-performing organizations. In his case, he is talking about healthy ideological conflict when everyone’s main concern is to find the right answer to help move the organization and its objectives forward. Lencioni then summarizes and points to another type of conflict at the same time.
"When there is trust, conflict becomes nothing but the pursuit of truth, an attempt to find the best possible answer. It is not only okay but desirable. Conflict without trust, however, is politics, an attempt to manipulate others in order to win an argument regardless of the truth." - Patrick Lencioni
At work, we are certainly called and even compensated to help our organizations pursue the best paths for all parties involved. Trust based ideological conflict finds the best answer — it is fundamental to our jobs.
For followers of Jesus, it's not only our job to engage in healthy conflict, it’s also our job to engage in the other type of conflict — where there is limited or no trust. It’s our God given responsibility to engage and care for people who appear to be only seeking their own advantages — even those who manipulate others.
The Prince of Peace came to resolve all types of conflicts and He enlists His followers to be agents of peace. But before we can become agents of peace we must be assured that we are free of all types of conflict.
Receive Peace
Let’s look at the 4 types of conflict we face and how we have been freed from each of them.
[.text-color-blue]1. Free from conflicts with other people[.text-color-blue] - Many of our conflicts involve wanting something we can't have and blaming other people — regardless of how guilty they are (Genesis 4:6-8). We even pray with the wrong motives (James 4:1-3) because we have our personal wants / desires as our central focus. The Prince of Peace caused one man, who everyone hated, to lose control of his greed and manipulation at the same time. Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.[.no-reftag] (Luke 19:8)[.no-reftag] Because Jesus gave him dignity and true freedom from control.
Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” - [.no-reftag] Luke 19:9-10[.no-reftag]
[.text-color-blue]2. Free of conflicts with nature[.text-color-blue] - Natural disasters are a source of conflict. We have no control over them and preparing for them can be stressful and futile. We have no control over nature (Romans 8:19-20). However, following Jesus provides hope of the new creation (Romans 8:21). Jesus is our source of peace and provides control over all of nature. Nothing is going to happen in nature that is not for the good of those He loves.
Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don't you care if we drown?” He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. - [.no-reftag]Mark 4:38-39[.no-reftag]
[.text-color-blue]3. Free from conflict with self[.text-color-blue] - This is actually the most prevalent conflict type. We mostly struggle with ourselves as we wonder what they should do, how we should act, and how not to be controlled by our desires. Jesus says, receive my peace, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” [.no-reftag](John 14:27)[.no-reftag] Jeusus says, “keep asking” and I will change your desires to be the same as mine (John 15:16).
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. - [.no-reftag]Philippians 4:6-7[.no-reftag]
[.text-color-blue]4. Free from the conflict with God[.text-color-blue] - All sin is conflict with God and we all sin every day. It is conflict with God that starts all other conflict. John Piper says, “All conflict in the world came from conflict with God and remains in the world until the conflict with God is removed.” Conflict with God is the greatest problem any of us face and it's the greatest problem in the world. All conflicts are based on selfish desires and expectations. This is true for political, domestic, economic, entertainment, and even sports (which is entertainment). All conflicts originate with “Did God really say?” (Genesis 3:1) and “why can’t I run my own life.” This is because we find ourselves obsessed with the things of this world instead of obsessed with the Creator of this world.
So what does God do with our sin, self-centeredness and disobedience? He creates the most perfect plan to satisfy a holy God by a perfect sinless Savior — His very own Son.
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. - [.no-reftag]Isaiah 9:6[.no-reftag]
Jesus, the Prince of Peace, has control over all things. There is no government, ruler, institution, company, church, sports team, or person who is not under His sovereign reign — just like all of nature. The reign of Jesus, the Prince of Peace, was established before the creation of the world, but in these last days, He came to us in the flesh (John 1:14) to demonstrate for us the character of God and to become a sacrifice that allows all of us to have access to God.
For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. - [.no-reftag] Colossians 1:19-20[.no-reftag]
John Piper says “This is the center: God substituting God to bear the punishment of God to make peace with sinners.”
If you don’t know the Prince of Peace or if you are not full of peace, based joyful contentment, don’t keep reading. Instead, go and read, watch, or listen to this incredible sermon Prince of What Peace? How Christmas Overcomes Our Conflicts from John Piper that explains what the Prince of Peace has done for you.
Fight With Peace for Peace
Do you believe this? The Prince of Peace offered His life for yours so that you would have peace. Spend your life — heart, mind, body, and soul — with the Prince of Peace to free others so that they will receive Peace.
Jesus calls us to do the very same work He did while we are here on earth. He gives us the same exact job description that God the Father gave Him.
Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” - [.no-reftag]John 20:21-22[.no-reftag]
The beatitudes are about understanding your blessedness and bestowing that blessing, especially the peace of Christ on others. The very first blessing from God that Jesus describes in the beatitudes is “Blessed are the poor in spirit,” and it comes with the all important promise that, “theirs is the kingdom of heaven” ([.no-reftag]Matthew 5:3[.no-reftag]). This beatitude is making it clear that we are nothing without God and that with Jesus we are the heirs of actually everything!
The kingdom of heaven is ours! The time for us to be fighting for “our stuff” and “our way” is over when we receive the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We don’t need to fight for what is already ours. We are heirs!
Our job now is to join God in bringing the Kingdom of God to earth now as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:9-10). The blessing of peace — freedom from conflict and sin — is that you now know you are “in cahoots with God.” You are now an agent of His Peace.
The seventh and eighth beatitudes clarify part of our kingdom on earth mission “Blessed are the peacemakers” and “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness.” And both of those beatitudes end with the affirmation that we are “children of God” and that “theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:9-10)
What a charge! What a promise! But, Jesus did not stop there. He continued on to say we should expect opposition and conflict on this mission of Peace.
“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” - [.no-reftag]Matthew 5:11-12[.no-reftag]
Expect for conflict to increase as you seek peace for others. Conflict and insults are part of the blessing. How is that? How can we do this?
[.text-color-blue]1. Admit often that you struggle with conflict based on your desires.[.text-color-blue] One of the reasons God uses imperfect men and women like us is to be a walking witness of His grace, mercy, and peace. When we admit we struggle we open the door for others to admit their struggles. When we tell them about our solutions, including our Peace, we open the door for them to accept the same Peace.
[.text-color-blue]2. Embrace the conflicting situations[.text-color-blue] you find yourself in life and work as opportunities to show others the way to Peace. If you are insulted, passed over, even slandered this may be an opportunity — the open door — to show your coworkers the Hope that you have that leads to Peace.
[.text-color-blue]3. Remember your destiny.[.text-color-blue] Know who you are — a child of God. Know where you are going — heaven. And, know for how long — forever. Know that these temporary struggles are creating a reward for you that is larger than you can think or imagine.
For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. - [.no-reftag]2 Corinthians 4:17-18[.no-reftag]
Resources:
Article: Gratitude Fuels Selflessness at Work | Howard Graham
Sermon: Prince of What Peace? How Christmas Overcomes Our Conflicts | John Piper
Video: The Advantage of Gratitude Based Selfless Action | Howard Graham