“But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.  For He is our peace; in His flesh He has made both into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us, abolishing the law with its commandments and ordinances, that He might create in Himself one new humanity in place of the two, thus making peace,  and might reconcile both to God in one body through the cross, thus putting to death that hostility through it.”

(Ephesians 2:13-16)

 

In Jesus Christ, hearts can be transformed from hard and hostile to tender and peace-filled. The hymn, Let There Be Peace on Earth, expresses an eager prayer request that asks for deliverance from striving with others. Try using the lyrics below as your prayer request! It lines up perfectly with the biblical teaching found in Ephesians 2:13-16 above. Peace can begin with you, if you want it to. You choose whether to influence your environments for God or for self. Every day we make choices to refresh or offend people, to be self-aware and sensitive or to be careless toward others. Some Christians practice kindness with partiality, tarnishing the Church. Paul wrote that the shed blood of Jesus, which God applies to our sin nature, eradicates innate desires to divide, to lord over, to contend with others. But we must repent of these ingrained sinful ways in order to be forgiven; to be cleansed; and to be delivered.

 

In 40 Days of Grace, Paul David Tripp writes: “Because accepting blame is not natural, it takes rescuing transforming grace to produce a humble, willing, broken, self-examining, help-seeking heart. Only divine grace can soften a person’s heart. Only grace can decimate your defenses and lead you to repent. Only grace can make you more grieved about your sin than the sins of others.”

 

Let there be peace on earth                                            

And let it begin with me.

Let There Be Peace on Earth

The peace that was meant to be.

With God as our Father

Brothers all are we.

Let me walk with my brother

In perfect harmony.

​

Let peace begin with me

Let this be the moment now.

With every step I take

Let this be my solemn vow.

To take each moment and live

Each moment in peace eternally

Let there be peace on earth

And let it begin with me.

​

Father God, let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me! 

Draw us nearer to the Cross. May our praises be found worthy of You, in Jesus name,  Amen.

 

 

Happy Easter!

Pastor Catherine