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! This 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 can 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 would be able to read the Bible more
regularly so that I can know more about You! In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.