Live In Peace

If at all possible we are to live at peace with all men. That is with ALL MEN! This is a life truth that the Apostle Paul admonishes us all to strive for. The scripture I am referring to is Romans 12:18: If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

How are we to apply this to our everyday lives? How are we to apply this to the myriad of "people" we ourselves have to be, much less the myriad of people we meet, who are "playing a part" of themselves to us. As a southerner, we are ruthless when it comes to "keeping the peace". We will not allow petty differences to defile our get-togethers. We keep our opinions to ourselves when in public, and let it rip when we are with those we trust, saying something like "Bless her heart, she just doesn't know any better." this to be interpreted means, "Holy Cow! She's such an idiot!" Are we not all guilty?!?!?!? But my friends, this small minded type of peace is not what I am referring to today. Let's talk some truth about the kind of peace we are to live with all men.........

I'm not one to be a pessimist, never have been, but I am a realist. The world we live in today is right out of the book of Revelation. Let me just give a few of today's (as of May 21st, 2009) headlines as it applies to America.

• U.S. Govt takes over GMAC




• U.S. Govt takes over Chrysler




• Islamic Terrorists arrested in NY for bomb plot against a synagogue




• U.S. Govt to close Guantanamo Bay within a year, detainees to be released




• Michigan is bankrupt




• California is bankrupt




• Florida democratic Congressman, Alan Grayson to federalize paid vacations for all part time and full time employees of companies with 50 or more employees.




• Enhanced interrogation techniques have been banned by the current administration




• Iran is going nuclear




• Israel is at risk




• more Americans watch American Idol than vote in political elections




• Jobless claims set record




• Value of the U.S. dollar in decline




• World leaders want to change national currency values away from dollar




• Google has every street in every westernized country on film and available to anyone in the world with an Internet connection.




• Not answering every question on the U.S. census is a crime punishable by fine




• ACLU has filed suit against Knox County and Davidson County School Boards to make gay, lesbian and transgendered websites available to all students in those schools on the taxpayer funded computers in the taxpayer funded schools




• If you are a conservative, evangelical Christian, or a member of the military you are considered the enemy by this current administration




• 2 trillion dollar budget to be passed that we cannot possibly fund




• Govt wants to medicate your children (especially boys), house you, tell you what to eat, tell companies how to run their businesses, tell you what you can drive, tell you what kind of health care you should receive, force you to pay people not to work if you employ them

While all of these headlines are disturbing, we are not supposed to be surprised by them. Jesus told his disciples, not to be surprised when they saw these various things happen, knowing that it was merely the birth pangs of the second coming. These recent events should excite every Christian, but more than that, spur them to action knowing that time as we know it is drawing to a close. We should be spurred to action to spread the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ to every creature and nation....what did Jesus say? "go into ALL the world and PREACH the Gospel. But wait.....if we follow the Great Commission wouldn't that make us NOT be at peace with all men? The answer my friends is YES! We are in total opposition to peace when it comes to taking the Gospel to the streets. I think that is why it is called a BATTLE!

We are not of this world people, and you wonder why there are large factions in society that want to paint the conservative, evangelical Christian as racist, bigoted, intolerant, and evil; not to mention totally ignorant!?!? You mustn't wonder why this is so, or be amazed when the world hates you. It is very clear in the Word of God that these things MUST take place, but WE are not to grow tired in doing good. That is our mission....do not grow tired, do not grow weary, do not be afraid, do not be cowardly, but stand for the truth of Christ. Get involved; even if it means you will not be "at peace" with all men.