Peace for You
Read 1 Corinthians 3 – 6
1 Corinthians 6:7-8 The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated? 8 Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, and you do this to your brothers.
DO YOU live in a world of conflict or a world of peace? At first glance, you may think this is a silly question. After all, are we not surrounded with conflict? Regardless of where we turn, we see a world broken with conflict, from international wars to private disputes. In secular society and in the church, there is no break from conflict.
Or is there?
What would happen if we took to heart these words from Paul? He was very disturbed that there were lawsuits among people in the church. He saw it as a rejection of the Gospel, of the fellowship and peace Jesus’ Good News offers. People were in conflict because they were not willing to submit to and love others.
Yes, when someone wrongs you, perhaps there is a time to stand and fight. But more often, I think, there is a time to let go and forgive. Jesus was “attacked” verbally and spiritually wherever he ministered. But he let go of the accusations, and he let go of the ridicule. He looked to the Father, and he held on to the Gospel.
This is what Paul is talking about here. We can choose conflict, or we can choose peace. Conflict contaminates your life. Peace cleanses your life. Jesus came to clean the conflict away and replace it with his peace. This is for you.
Pause and Consider: how you resolve conflict in your life.
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