The Peacemaker

by Ken Sande

(John 14:15–31; cf. 1 John 5:3 and 2 John 5–6). This repetition makes a life-changing point: If you want to honor Jesus and show that he is worthy to be loved more than anything in the world, learn his ways and obey his commands.

Third, you can imitate God.

As Paul knew, imitating Jesus in the midst of conflict is the surest path to restoring peace and unity with those who oppose

Fourth, you can acknowledge God. As God gives you grace to respond to conflict in unusual and effective ways, other people will often take notice and wonder how you do it. If you are silent, they may give you credit for the remarkable things you have done, which would rob God of his glory. Instead, use these special opportunities to breathe grace to other people by telling them that it is God who has been working in you to do things you could never do on your own

The other benefit of a God-centered approach to conflict resolution is that it makes you less dependent on results. Even if others refuse to respond positively to your efforts to make peace, you can find comfort in the knowledge that God is pleased with your obedience.

It is important to realize that if you do not glorify God when you are involved in a conflict, you will inevitably glorify someone or something else.

continually ask yourself these questions: How can I please and honor God in this situation?

When people lash out at you, it is sometimes symptomatic of other frustrations. (This behavior is particularly common in families and close friendships.) Instead of reacting defensively, try to discern ways that you can help others deal with those problems.

God’s highest purpose for you is not to make you comfortable, wealthy, or happy. If you have put your faith in him, he has something far more wonderful in mind—he plans to conform you to the likeness of his Son! He began to change you the day you put your trust in him, and he will continue this process throughout your life. Conflict is one of the many tools that God will use to help you develop a more Christ-like character.

To grow, you must also draw on his grace and practice new attitudes and habits. Just

For example, when people provoke and frustrate you, practice love and forgiveness. When they fail to act promptly, develop patience. When you are tempted to give up on someone, exercise faithfulness.

Glorify God: How can I please and honor God in this situation? Get the log out of your own eye: How can I show Jesus’ work in me by taking responsibility for my contribution to this conflict? Gently restore: How can I lovingly serve others by helping them take responsibility for their contribution to this conflict? Go and be reconciled: How can I demonstrate the forgiveness of God and encourage a reasonable solution to this conflict?

If you want to be an effective steward, you need to be:

you will be inspired to overcome selfish, shortsighted attitudes and give yourself wholeheartedly to serving and honoring your Master.

understand your Master’s will

Understanding God’s Word is an essential ingredient of wisdom, which is the ability to apply God’s truth to life’s complexities. Having wisdom does not mean that you understand all of God’s ways; it means that you respond to life God’s way (Deut. 29:29). The better you know the Bible, the wiser you will be and the more effectively you will deal with conflict.3

Strengthened. You are not alone when you are stewarding conflict:

God provides this strength to all Christians through the Holy Spirit,

Dependent. At times, conflict can push you beyond your

When this happens, turn to the church and seek out spiritually mature Christians who will encourage you, give you biblically sound advice, and support your efforts to be faithful to God

Therefore, be sure you turn to people who will love you enough to be honest with you.

Faithful. Perhaps the most important characteristic of a steward is faithfulness:

given a trust must prove faithful” (1 Cor. 4:2). Faithfulness is not a matter of results; it is a matter of dependent obedience. God

these questions will help you apply the principles presented in this chapter to your situation:

Romans 12:18

part of God’s character,

one of the great blessings that God gives to those who follow him

commands his people to seek and pursue peace

James 3:18). 4. God describes his covenant with his people in terms of peace

taught his people to use the word peace (Hebrew shalom and Greek eirene) as a standard form of greeting

Nothing reveals God’s concern for peace more vividly than his decision to send his beloved Son to “guide our feet into the path of peace” (Luke 1:79; cf. Isa. 2:4).

As the supreme peacemaker, Jesus sacrificed his life so we could experience peace with God and with one another now and forever.

three dimensions to the peace that God offers to us through Christ: peace with God, peace with one another, and peace within ourselves.

As you will see, it is impossible to know genuine internal peace unless you also pursue peace with God and others.

Believing in Jesus means more than being baptized, going to church,

Clear gospel presentation

This peace, which is often referred to as “unity” (Ps. 133:1), is not simply the absence of conflict and strife. Unity is the presence of genuine harmony, understanding, and goodwill between people.

wholeness, contentment, tranquility, order, rest,

“You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you” (Isa. 26:3).

By God’s design, the three dimensions of peace are inseparably joined. As

Jesus prayed these words during the final hours of his life. As death drew near, the Lord focused on a single concept he knew to be of paramount importance for all those who would believe in him.

Jesus prayed that his followers would get along with one another.

John 13:34–35,

1 john expounds

(Luke 6:27–28).

Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who persecute you, pray for those who mistreat you

When we make peace with those who have wronged or mistreated us, others will often realize that God himself is working in and through us (1 Peter 2:12).

Peace and unity are so important that Jesus commands us to seek reconciliation with a brother even ahead of worship! He teaches that we cannot love and worship God properly if we are at odds with another person and have not done everything in our power to be reconciled

He then describes the weapons needed to withstand Satan’s power: truth, righteousness, the gospel, faith, Scripture, and prayer.

Of course, it would be a serious mistake to blame all conflict on Satan.

Lol

just as Christ accepted you,

perfectly united

Make every effort