PEACEMAKER Ambassadors to Earth - Week 8 5/26/2024 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 2 Corinthians 5:18-20 ESV Making Peace Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. James 3:13–18 ESV Wisdom - σοφία (sophia) insight, learning, cleverness 1) the wisdom which belongs to men, universally 2)supreme intelligence, such as belongs to God Make - ποιέω (poieó) joined to nouns denoting a state or condition, it signifies to be the author of, to cause Peace - εἰρήνη (eiréné) peace between individuals - harmony, accord. Peace with God, to be reconciled Peacemaking is NOT Solving Problems on our own Wisdom of man leads to conflict, strife and eventually death Man avoids of conflict, appeases, and is passive “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.” Proverbs 12:15 ESV “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.” Proverbs 14:12 ESV “For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their craftiness,” 1 Corinthians 3:19 ESV Man avoids of conflict, appeases, and is passive Who rises up for me against the wicked? Who stands up for me against evildoers? Psalm 94:6 ESV Peacemaking Wisdom from above Pure Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Philippians 4:8 ESV Peaceable Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. Psalm 34:14 ESV Gentle To speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. Titus 3:2 ESV Open to Reason Let your reasonableness be known to everyone Philippians 4:5 ESV Mercy Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. Luke 6:36 ESV Good Fruits I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5 ESV Impartial The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:31ESV Sincere For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God's word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ. 2 Corinthians 2:17 ESV Produces a Harvest of Righteousness Conforming to God’s will in thought and deed God’s will for human relationships As far as it is possible with you be at peace with all men. Rom. 12:18 ESV God’s will for His relationship with mankind First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. 1 Timothy 2:1-6 ESV