Still Waiting For Peace!

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule—to the Israel of God. Galatians 6:10, 16 NIV

If we're still waiting to see peace in our midst, it must be because we have not followed the rule. The rule--coming into verse 10 and referred to in verse 16 is to "do good to all people, especially those who belong to the family of believers."

Who is in the family? Everyone who has accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior; everyone who has submitted to God's will and keeps the greatest commands--to love Him and Love everyone else; everyone who lives according to The Word and not just their opinion of The Word--this is the family of Believers--no matter what denominational banner they carry.

Until we understand this rule--doing good to all who are in the family--we delay seeing the peace that is promised to us and we have no one to blame but ourselves.

Now, doing good to all does not mean we condone wrongdoing simply because people are in the family. Children are in families and it is the responsibility of the parents to correct them when they go astray and guide them into living right--according to The Word. As members of this vast family of Believers--it is our responsibility--when Holy Spirit guiding us--to correct those in the family who are going astray.

How do we know when they're going astray? Any time we support a person who promotes hate and fear-mongering, has no respect for self or others, lacks a moral compass and doesn't have a clue as to what or who Love is--we delay peace and mercy from showing up in our lives.

It is not enough to keep hoping and a-praying God will change a person's heart--their heart won't change no matter how many people are praying for them until they want their heart to change. And we must stop making excuses for those who will not accept responsibility for what they say and do. Making excuses for a wayward child's behavior and never setting boundaries for them leads to believe that everything they do is all right and they never understand the difference between right and wrong.

In the political arena, we're dealing with a spoiled-brat who does not understand boundaries and never accepts responsibility for all the foolish things he says and yet, those who support him are quick to defend him--explaining and clarifying what he meant (but didn't say) and then they blame the rest of us for "misinterpreting" what he said.

At what point is someone with an ounce common decency going to stand up and tell this man to stop doing stupid! And when he continues to refuse, everyone supporting him should back away from him before they are labeled as unstable as he is. There are some things that should never be uttered--not in a joke--not for any reason and when a person crosses this line and is given a pass--they'll be looking for a pass for the next stupid thing they do, that may end up with disastrous consequences.

I don't know about anyone else, but I want the peace God has promised and though I do all I can to do good to and for others, my peace is delayed because of the complacency of others who refuse to correct poor behavior.

But if peace does not reside within a person, they cannot promote peace to cover their surroundings by being obedient to God. So, I guess I'll be waiting--patiently--for the peace that resides within me to overflow into my surroundings onto others and the peace will continue to flow like molten lava until all are covered--doing good for the family of Believers.