Title: Have Peace / Romans 12:14-21
Peace of mind
Text Romans 12:14-21
The whole world is lamenting if there is a way to live peacefully due to the terrorist bombing of the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon of the Pentagon in Washington on September 11th.
▶ Mr. Hammarskjold, a Swedish scholar and scholar who served as the UN affairs chief, passed away in September 1961 in an airplane accident while working hard to achieve world peace as a devout Christian.
Search crews found a small handbag he was carrying at the scene of the plane crash. Inside was a book called (I and You <Ich und dich) by Martin Buber and a bundle of original texts that translated the book into their own language.
He knew that the way to achieve the grand goal of world peace was in the peace of 'you and me'.
For us humans, true happiness lies in the first peace in our hearts and the second in the peace of human relationships.
Proverbs 17:1 We must live by the meaning of the saying, “It is better to have a piece of dry bread and to be at peace than to have a house full of flesh and flesh and quarrel.”
So today, let's learn how to make peace in human relationships through the text.
What does the text say about how to live in peace?
1. They say that we should speak the words of peace (verse 14).
Romans 12:14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
▶ The word “blessing” means “good words,” “commendation,” “beautiful words,” “congratulations,” “praise,” and “bless you.”
These words remind us that we can have a peaceful relationship only when we say words of peace, good words, and words of praise.
Matthew 10:12-13 And as you enter the house, pray for peace; if the house is worthy of it, your empty peace will come to it; if it is not worthy, it will return to you.
Deuteronomy 20:10 When you go to a city to fight against it, first declare peace in that city.
Judges 21:13 And the whole congregation sent to the children of Benjamin who were at the rock of Rimmon to proclaim peace.
Isaiah 52:7 How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good news, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, Your God reigns!
▶ President Bush's harsh remarks lead to discord
Proverbs 15:1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Proverbs 25:15 Long-suffering, a ruler bears his words: A soft tongue breaks a bone.
Proverbs 12:18 Or speaks rashly like the stabs of a sword, but the tongue of the wise is like medicine.
▶ A man was troubled because his family was complicated. Husbands were arguing with their wives, brothers fighting each other, and relatives swearing at each other. They hated each other, and the house was full of complaints.
The house next door is a large family of two generations, so it would be easy to get up and down, but it was always calm and there were no winds and waves. I was very moved and asked. "How are you so peaceful?" The answer was strange. "Because you have only good people, but my house is only with bad people." Seeing the surprised face, the neighbor explained:
“Let’s say at home, for example, you break a jar by mistake. Immediately you say, ‘Who is that, who put the bonsai in this place?’ and ‘You are a blind man with an open eye.
But in my house, I was like, 'Oh, it was my fault that I put it in such a place.' They say, 'No, it's because of my carelessness' and comfort them by saying that they did not do well.
So the family is peaceful and stable.” These are the peacemakers.
Proverbs 13:3 He who guards his mouth preserves his life, but he who opens wide his lips brings destruction.
come
2. They say that we must share our hearts. (15-16)
Romans 12:15-16 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep, be like one another, set not your heart on high things, but rather be lowly, and be not wise in yourselves.
It is said that when you have a humble heart and share your heart with a gentle attitude, you will be at peace.
Psalm 37:11 But the meek shall possess the earth, and they shall rejoice in abundant peace.
▶ When Jacob meets his brother Esau
▶ When Joseph meets his brothers
▶ First, make sure you have a peaceful mind. Then you will be able to give peace to others.
A peaceful person can do more good than a knowledgeable person. A lustful man turns good into evil, and easily listens to evil.
But a good and peaceful person makes all things good. A truly peaceful person never thinks badly or doubts anyone. But one who is dissatisfied and worried is tormented by many doubts and suffering. Such a person not only does not provide stability to himself, but also does not provide stability to others.
Such people often say things they shouldn't and pass by without saying what they should. He thinks about what others should do, but not about what he himself should do.
So, first of all, be zealous for yourself before meddling with your neighbors. This will also allow you to have a proper concern for your neighbours. A person who is at peace with himself can also be at peace with others. But those who do not have peace in themselves cannot live in peace with others. And, above all, whoever knows best how to persevere can maintain great peace.
Such a person is the one who has overcome himself, the master who conquered the world, the friend of Christ, and the heir of the kingdom of heaven.
3. It is said to promote good works (17, 19-21)
Romans 12:17 Repay no one evil for evil, but do good in the sight of all men.
Jeremiah 9:8 Their tongue is deadly flesh, they speak lies; with their mouth they speak peace to their neighbor, but in their heart they seek evil.
Deuteronomy 20:12 If you do not want to be at peace with you and want to fight against you, you will surround the city.
Romans 12:19-21 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath, for it is written, Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord. If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him drink; I will lay it up on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Matthew 5:38-42 And you have heard that it was said, “Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.” But I say to you, do not resist the evil one. Let anyone who wants to have it even have a cloak, and if anyone forces you to go a duck, go with him two miles, give to the one who asks of you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you.
Matthew 5:43-45 And you have heard it was said to love your neighbor and hate your enemies, but I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. son, because God makes his sun rise on the wicked and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
▶ Schweitzer read Luke 16 and thought, 'Isn't Lazarus a white man and Lazarus is a white man?' and went to Africa with a heart to atone for the sins of the white people who did all sorts of things to black people. He lived his life of service as an apostle, touching the pus pockets of black people all his life.
Chan-sam Kim, a Korean traveler, met Dr. Schweitzer in Africa and stayed with them for a week in the field of love. Dr. Schweitzer saw Mr. Chan-Sam Gam's ragged attire and said, "The pants are very old. If it's okay with you, I'll give you my pants, so you can change them." So he said that he was able to paint the life of Christ's love through Dr. Schweitzer. As Chan-sam Kim left there, Dr. Schweitzer asked the following questions:
“Please tell me the most important thing in life.”
As he waved to Mr. Chan-sam Kim as he left, he said, "Peace to mankind! Love to mankind!"
Living with black Africans, "Peace to mankind! Love to mankind!" Through a good life of hard work and sacrifice like Dr. Schweitzer, who cried out, "Peace is maintained and spread in every corner of the world today and in any form."
Dan 8:25 He will devise and work deceit with his hands, and he will make himself great in his heart, and in peace he will put an end to many; and he will stand by himself against the King of kings, and he will be broken by no man's hand.
4. They say you need to build up your abilities. (21)
Romans 12:21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
To win, you must have the ability
▶ A few years ago, at the University of Hawaii, data about various world situations was put into a computer and the world
When asked about the method of peace, the computer said this answer.
"Peace can be maintained only when there is a stronger person."
Leviticus 26:7-9 You will pursue your enemies, and they will fall before you by the sword; five of you will chase a hundred, and a hundred and two thousand of you will chase your enemies, and your enemies will fall by the sword before you; I will fulfill the covenant, and I will multiply you and make you great.
Deuteronomy 20:12-14 If you do not want to be at peace with you and want to fight against you, you will besiege it, and when the LORD your God delivers it into your hand, you shall strike down all the males in it with the edge of the sword, and you shall kill only the women. Infants and cattle and whatever you have taken from the city is yours; take it, and what you have taken from your enemies, the LORD your God has given you, and you shall enjoy it.
▶ Abraham's military training
Luke 14:31-32 Also, when a king goes to battle with another king, will he not sit down first and consider whether ten thousand can resist a man who comes with only two hundred thousand? If not, while he is still far away, send an ambassador to ask for peace.