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Instruments of Peace
by Rev. Moses K. Ndereva,
Pastor – Lifeline Community Fellowship
Scripture Reference
Romans 12:18
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
Ephesians 2:14
For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility,
Ephesians 4:3
Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
Hebrews 12:14
Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.
Philippians 4:7
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Colossians 3:15
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
Matthew 5:9
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
SONG
Lord, Make us instruments of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let your love increase
Lord, make us instruments of your peace,
Walls of pride and prejudice shall cease
When we are your instruments of peace.
Where there is hatred, we will show his love
Where there is injury, we will never judge
Where there is striving, we will speak his peace
To the millions crying for release,
We will be his instruments of peace
Where there is blindness, we will pray for sight
where there is darkness, we will shine his light
Where there is sadness, we will bear their grief
To the millions crying for relief,
We will be your instruments of peace.
SONG
Make me a channel of your peace
where there is hatred let me bring your love:
Where there is injury, your pardon Lord;
and where there's doubt, true faith in you.
Chorus:
O Master grant that I may never seek
So much to be consoled as to console;
To be understood as to understand;
To be loved as to love with all my soul.
Make me a channel of your peace.
Where there's despair in life let me bring hope;
Where there is darkness only light;
And where there's sadness, ever joy.
Make me a channel of your peace.
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
In giving to all men that we receive.
And in dying that we're born to eternal life.
Sebastian Temple Copyright Franciscan Communications 1967
Introduction
The singer sang and said, “Lord make us instruments of your peace.” Unless God makes us experience peace we cannot have peace. God is a peace maker. He makes peace with the mortal man giving him a chance. How often do we make peace with those around us and especially in the house of God? Do we find ourselves dressing their wounds as though they are not serious?
There is a problem!
The greatest problem we have today is pretensions, fake smiles, and greetings with daggers drawn, betrayal and internal hate. We add salt to injury and poke spikes where wounding has already taken place. Seldom do we sow seeds of peace or make amends. We never bring love where there is hate or encouragement where there is hopelessness. Jeremiah 6:14 They dress the wound of my people as though it were not serious. ‘Peace, peace,’ they say, when there is no peace.
We Are Instruments
Instruments are tools. They fix things and make things work. Instruments are used to measure, operate, or navigate. What kind of tools are we? How are we calibrated? An instrument that is not well calibrated may well overdose or under dose an intended delivery. If we are the salt of the world, are we too salty to taste? If we are the light of the world, are we too bright and blinding. Instruments do not go by feelings because they do not possess any. They depend on the owner and user for all they do. Who do we depend on? Yes we tell the truth and stand for it; but do the truth we bear set people free or it keeps them in bondage and fear. Are we in the business of solving problems or are we in the habit of dissolving people.
Make Every Effort to Make Peace
You cannot call yourself a child of God if you are not in the business of making peace! Jesus Christ is the Prince of peace. The Almighty God reveals himself to us as Jehovah Shalom; our peace. How then is it that we cannot bring peace where there is strife? How comes we dress wounds of our brethren as though they are not serious?
What effort are we making to make peace or live at peace with others? Are we doing everything possibly possible? Humility is the key and pride is the hindrance. To what influence are we going to submit? Is it possible for us to pray like Saint Francis of Assisi? Are we bringing love where there is hatred? How are we handling strife? What change are we making in the community around us? Joseph made an effort to make peace with his brothers; Genesis 45:5 “….do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you.” Are you able to see beyond the hurt?
Does Peace Rule Your Heart and Mind?
Is peace ruling our hearts and minds? What do our thoughts and motives reflect from our hearts and minds? What is ruling at the throne of our hearts? If peace ruled, then we would have fewer conflicts. We would be living at peace with ourselves and with each other. Harmony would not be difficult to achieve. We fail because peace is far from our hearts. It is supposed to be a fruit of the Spirit. We have no other way of making and living in peace. We must walk in the Spirit. Hostility, divisions, strife, conflict, fights and uprising are characteristics of the flesh motivated by pride, selfishness and prejudice.
Bring Down the Walls
We must engage in bringing down walls of division. We must stop strife and character assassination. We must stand up for peace and operate only where peace is the goal. We can make it with God’s help if we allow the Spirit of God to rule in our hearts and discard selfish ambitions and promote love for each other.
Psalm 122:7-9
7 May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels.” 8 For the sake of my family and friends, I will say, “Peace be within you.” 9 For the sake of the house of the LORD our God, I will seek your prosperity.
This must be our prayer!
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