DECEMBER 27, Hebrews 12:14 

Do your parents quarrel? How about your friends? Have you ever quarreled with anyone? People quarrel for various reasons. And God knows! That is why today’s lesson is such a practical one: how to be at peace with others.

One of the ways we live out our faith as followers of Jesus is to be a peacemaker, or to work for peace. Peacemaking can come in many ways in different settings. You could be a peacemaker at home, in school, or at the playground. Jesus was the ultimate peacemaker, for He came to bring peace between sinful man and a righteous God who cannot stand sin. And what did Jesus do to bring about peace? He died for you and me as the perfect sacrifice so that the debt of sin may be paid, and the souls of man may be redeemed. Because of Jesus, we can have peace with God.

When we become peacemakers, we make peace as long as there is no sin or wrong involved. Let’s assume you have a classmate called Kok Leong who is unhappy with your friend because your friend does not want to do the wrong thing Kok Leong wants him to. There is no need to make peace with Kok Leong. If he wants to make your friend sin, there is no need to make peace. That is one important aspect of peacemaking.

Peacemaking is often required in solving problems that arise. There is sometimes no perfect solution to problems but for all involved to be humble and try to give in to each other. However, that is not easy even for Christians. All of us still have the sinful self in us and this sinful self is always trying to make us selfish, prideful, quarrelsome, and impatient. The list goes on!

Dear child, are you a peacemaker? Are you at peace with others? Pray for God’s strength to help you as you try to live the life God wants you to – be a peacemaker!

Thought: May I be at peace with others

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You so much for creating the world! I pray for more faith in You and that I’d be able to read the Bible more regularly so that I can know more about You! In Jesus’ wonderful name, Amen.