Peace and Edification

Acts 9:31 So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied.

When there was peace in the church, there was edification. It is necessary for us to utilize times of peace in our life. When God created earth, he separated day and night and he rested at night doing nothing. Joseph was very active during prosperity and made sure he had gathered all the grain and when there was famine, he was so strong that everybody came to him for food. We are expected to strengthen ourselves while we are in peace to be ready for hard times. The human body itself actually grows at night because the spine is relaxed at that time.

Since the verse starts with “So”, we would try to understand the context which is that Paul had spoken boldly and disputed with the Greeks who sought to kill him. This was in his very early years (3 years after his salvation). The verse teaches us that when Paul was in Jerusalem, there was no peace but as soon as Paul had left the city, there was peace. When Paul has been sent to Syria, there was peace in Israel. This is something we can relate to all of us. As soon as we overcome a sin or learn a new teaching, we immediately start judging others and create disputes inside our churches or families. This shakes the peace inside the church.

In Romans 14:19, Paul himself writes to Rome about pursuing peace to edify others. Paul wants us to show peace to others to an extent where we may eat anything to gain him. Verse 16 says that Good can be spoken of as evil because of its non-contextual use. Our actions should be there to glorify God and not to prove ourselves as perfect. In verse 15, we read that our righteousness if displayed without caution, it invalidates the death of Christ. Romans 14:5, asks people to follow laws such as days and other external signs as per their conviction in their hearts (Holy Spirit’s guidance). Let us not force others into ways the Spirit leads us personally. Food is served according to the weather, altitude and local habits normally.

Isaiah 66:12 is one verse where Peace to the church is spoken of. Here, peace and glory of nations is given to the Church so that it serves food (breastmilk), progress (hip) and rest (bounce on the knees). This treatment to individuals from the church helps it to build every person to become stronger and edified. When this happens, we become happy and our bones are strengthened (verse 14). These three are necessities during peaceful times and the church ensures that we are nourished properly.

About food, we try have the kids in a good mood for eating and this is similar in our lives. It is not wise to given them food when they are enraged or hurt. But at most times, we give all our advices when people are filled with guilt and make them more furious. Parents and elders in church should speak with kids or believers when they are hungry and at the right intervals without stopping. Similarly, carrying in the hip makes the kid happier and it stops crying which shows how active a church or family should be in spiritual areas so that the kid is encouraged and learns new things by itself. Thirdly, there is rest and sleep in the church. The kid stops doing everything and loses itself in God’s presence and the assurance of His authority as in Mathew 11:28. This is required in any family or church. As per Mathew 11:28, we should remember that we are coming to Christ for rest and peace. Not to create chaos. It is good that we expect opportunities but a church is not opportunities alone but the first granting is rest.

We know Mathew 5:9 where peace-makes are called as sons of God. The verse says that “they shall be called” and not they shall be. When we believe in Jesus, we become or have the authority to become the sons of God. But for the world to see us and call us as sons of God, this quality is good evidence. Peace-making is a ministry in the Church so that any person who still does not forgive should be taught and encouraged to forgive so that they receive pardon from the father.

Let us understand that a church will not grow in strength and spirit unless we lose our differences and join together as in John 17:21 or otherwise, the world will now know that Jesus is God’s son and has come from Him.

Amen.