Stephen J. Daniel

I began blogging as a personal journal but discovered an opportunity to share God's transformative power in my life. Over time, my writing evolved from personal reflections to celebrating His greatness. I leave my earlier posts as a testament to His grace and the growth it inspires. As a humble servant of God, I seek to share His message of love, hope, and salvation. While I am imperfect, I aim to touch lives and glorify Him through my journey. Join me as we celebrate His blessings and grace, for it is through Him that we find purpose and transformation.

Embracing the Call to be Peacemakers: A Biblical Perspective

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As Christians, we are called to be peacemakers, as Jesus emphasized in the Sermon on the Mount: “God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God” (Matthew 5:9 NLT). In a world full of conflict and turmoil, it is crucial to understand the biblical foundation of peacemaking and apply it in our daily lives. This article will explore the importance of being peacemakers and provide practical ways to cultivate peace in our relationships.

A Personal Testimony
Before delving into the topic, I would like to share a personal testimony. For the past three days, I have been trying to share the Word of God, and I encountered challenges along the way. Through this experience, I learned three essential lessons:
I cannot accomplish anything without God’s help (John 15:5).
My motivations must be pure and not driven by a sense of duty (2 Corinthians 9:7).
I must put God first and acknowledge that everything I do is by His grace (1 Corinthians 15:10).
With these lessons in mind, I will seek God’s guidance as I explore the topic of peacemaking.
Biblical Foundation of Peacemaking
The Bible consistently calls Christians to pursue peace and unity, especially within the body of Christ: “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3). As followers of Jesus, we are to be agents of reconciliation, seeking to restore broken relationships and bridge divides (2 Corinthians 5:18).
Practical Ways to be Peacemakers
In our daily lives, we encounter various situations that test our ability to maintain peace, such as conflicts with loved ones or dealing with difficult people. Here are some ways to foster peace in these situations:
Practice patience and understanding: Be slow to anger and quick to listen, recognizing that everyone has unique perspectives and experiences (James 1:19).
Forgive and seek forgiveness: Genuine repentance and forgiveness are crucial for restoring relationships and maintaining peace (Matthew 6:14-15).
Focus on unity, not uniformity: Celebrate diversity within the body of Christ and work towards unity, not uniformity (Galatians 3:28).
Let go of the need to be right: Prioritize peace and relationships over winning arguments, recognizing that love covers a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8).

Embracing God’s Grace
As we strive to be peacemakers, it is essential to remember that we are all sinners in need of God’s grace. Extending grace to others, as God has extended grace to us, enables us to be more forgiving, understanding, and compassionate in our relationships (Ephesians 4:32).

Conclusion
The call to be peacemakers is a central aspect of the Christian life. By embracing biblical teachings on peace, striving for unity in the body of Christ, and extending grace to others, we can faithfully represent Jesus and bring His light to a world in need of healing and reconciliation.

Understanding and Embracing God’s Grace

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“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). This powerful passage from the Bible encapsulates the essence of God’s grace, which we often experience in our lives without fully grasping its profound meaning. Let us delve deeper into the concept of grace through a personal story and scriptural references.

A Personal Experience of God’s Grace
Once, I found myself unprepared for an important exam. In my despair, I helped a classmate cheat and, in turn, was tempted to do the same. However, my desire to maintain an honest reputation prevented me from giving in to that temptation. As the invigilator expressed sympathy, I noticed that many others were cheating, and a wave of emotions washed over me: fear of failure, jealousy, anger, and a sense of injustice. Amidst this turmoil, I submitted my incomplete answer sheet to the invigilator and eventually forgot about the incident.
Despite my flaws and shortcomings, I was surprised to learn that I had passed the exam. How could this be? A friend reminded me of God’s grace, which is abundant and freely given, even when we feel undeserving. In this moment, I realized that God’s grace reaches even those who know they are not righteous but still seek Him.
Defining God’s Grace
In the Bible, grace is described as unmerited favor, compassion, and love that God freely extends to humankind. It is through grace that we are saved, not by our own actions or righteousness (Ephesians 2:8-9). Grace is a divine gift that fills us with hope and empowers us to live a life that glorifies God (2 Corinthians 12:9).
To embrace God’s grace, we must:
Acknowledge our sinful nature (Romans 3:23).
Recognize that the wages of sin are death (Romans 6:23).
Accept that Christ’s sacrifice on the cross redeemed us from sin and death (John 3:16; Romans 5:8).
Embrace our new identity in Christ as redeemed sinners (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Conclusion
God’s grace is a transformative force that changes hearts and lives. As we journey through life, we will inevitably stumble and fall short of perfection. However, we can find comfort and hope in knowing that God’s grace is sufficient for us (2 Corinthians 12:9). By acknowledging our sins, surrendering to Christ, and accepting His redemptive sacrifice, we can experience the fullness of God’s love, mercy, and grace.
Further Reading: Romans 8