INTRODUCTION:

 

1. Being a member of the Church of God is an incredible blessing. 

 

1. 1. I say this in the context that we are placed in the church of God through an invitation from God.

 

1. 2. Our Father called us and invited us to be here.

 

1. 3. God invites us to leave this world and be placed into the ecclesia of God.

 

1. 4. What is the purpose behind God doing this?

 

1. 1. 1. Part of the Church's purpose is to serve in Christ’s government, ushering in and teaching God’s ways of creating Peace.

 

1. 1. 2. God’s ways and his laws lead to Peace.

 

1. 1. 1. 1. Peace with God
         2. Peace with others

 

1. 1. 3. Christ's 1000-year rule on Earth will be characterized by “Peace.”

 

1. 5. Christ is called the Prince of Peace, and  7 Of the increase of His government and peace
      There will be no end, - Isaiah 9:6-7

 

1. 1. 1. When Christ returns, increase the greatness of his government, and Peace will have no end.

 

1. 1. 2. Let’s focus on the peace aspect.  The Peace or Shalom in Hebrew means not just a lack of war but welfare, health and prosperity, safety, and completeness will be the character of Christ’s government on earth.

 

1. 6. In our congregational Sermon on the Mount study, we reviewed Blessed are the Peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

 

1. 7. Children of God and members of the church of God, we are learning to be Peacemakers.

 

1. 8. By being  peacemakers now,  By having the beatitude that a peacemaker being developed in us

 

1. 1. The Church of God is preparing to play a very important role in the world tomorrow during Christ’s 1000 reign, when peace will be the characteristic of Christ’s rule.

 

2. Let’s pause and consider God’s government will be established on earth during the Millennium.

 

1. 1. It is a time when the great deceiver of this world has been removed, and Christ, the King of Kings, reigns on Earth.

 

1. 2. Those in the Millennium will have seen Man’s best attempts of governing from the Tree of the Knowledge of good and evil and everyone in that period will experience what life will in a world where Christ the King of Kings, the Great Shepperd, The Prince of Peace, the Lamb of God, the Alpha and Omega, the author and finisher of our Salvation is reigning on Earth.

 

1. 3. There will be Peace there will be Shalom!

 

1. 4. Peace exemplifies the Millennium—a vision and a time when there will be no more wars, fights, or conflicts. The whole world longs for peace because we live in a world that lacks It.

 

1. 5. Let’s look at a vision given to the prophet Isaiah of this 1,000 years period when God’s government pictured as a mountain is on this earth.

 

1. 6. Is 2:2-4 - Now it shall come to pass in the latter days
      That the mountain of the Lord’s house
      Shall be established on the top of the mountains,
      And shall be exalted above the hills;
      And all nations shall flow to it.
      3 Many people shall come and say,
      “Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,
      To the house of the God of Jacob;
      He will teach us His ways,
      And we shall walk in His paths.”
      For out of Zion shall go forth the law,
      And the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
      4 He shall judge between the nations,
      And rebuke many people;
      They shall beat their swords into plowshares,
      And their spears into pruning hooks;
      Nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
      Neither shall they learn war anymore.

 

1. 7. It is a time when instruments of war become the instruments of agriculture.

 

1. 8. That is not the situation right now!

 

1. 1. We just have to read or hear the news and if you only listen to US based news we only hear a fraction of the conflicts that are going on right now in the world.

 

1. 10. If you ever have the opportunity to listen to the BBC, you receive a lot more news of the terrible conflicts going on around the news.

 

 

1. 11. Let me give you some facts from a website called visionofhumanity.org and an article that highlights the global peace index.

 

1. 50. This is an index measuring peacefulness since 2008. Although it is relatively new, it is insightful for the current situation.

 

1. 1000. Let me read an update from this Peace index from June 11 2024.  Already this needs to updated but it will give you a sense of the world.

 

1. 14. London, June 11, 2024: Today marks the launch of the 18th edition of the Global Peace Index (GPI) from international think-tank, the Institute for Economics & Peace (IEP), revealing that the world is at a crossroads. Without concerted effort, there is a risk of a surge in major conflicts.

 

• • Key results

 

1. 16. • 97 countries deteriorated in peacefulness, more than any year since the inception of the Global Peace Index in 2008.

• Conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine were the primary drivers of the global fall in peacefulness, as battle deaths reached 162,000 in 2023.

• 92 countries are currently involved in conflicts beyond their borders, more than at any time since the inception of the GPI.

• First of its kind military scoring system suggests that US military capabilities are up to three times higher than China.

• The global economic impact of violence increased to $19.1 trillion in 2023, representing 13.5% of global GDP. Exposure to conflict poses a significant supply chain risk for governments and businesses.

• Militarisation recorded its largest yearly deterioration since the inception of the GPI, with 108 countries becoming more militarised.

• 110 million people are either refugees or internally displaced due to violent conflict, with 16 countries now hosting more than half a million refugees.

• North America saw the largest regional deterioration, driven by increases in violent crime and fear of violence.

 

1. 17. As conflicts become more widespread and more internationalised, increasing complexity reduces the likelihood of achieving lasting solutions. Ukraine and Gaza are examples of ongoing historical grievances or ‘forever wars’ without clear resolutions. The number of conflicts resulting in a decisive victory for either side has fallen from 49% in the 1970s, to less than 9% in the 2010s. Over the same period, the number of conflicts that ended through peace agreements fell from 23% to just over 4%.

 

1. 18. Another key factor reshaping conflict is the impact of asymmetric warfare technology, making it much easier for non-state groups, as well as smaller or less powerful states, to compete in conflicts with larger states or governments. The number of states using drones rose from 16 to 40, a 150% increase between 2018 and 2023. Over the same period, the number of non-state groups which committed at least one drone attack rose from 6 to 91, an increase of over 1,400%.

 

3. Food production is impossible in conflict areas, and famine often results. Widespread conflict has condemned many to being deprived of basic food requirments.

 

4. Our world is not at Peace, yet we know a time of peace is coming.

 

5. Let’s bring peacemaking back to us today.

 

6. A primary role of the first fruits of God who, in the twinkling of an eye at the last trump be raised to immortality to inherit the Kingdom of God is to teach Peace in the Millennium.

 

1. 1. Do we know how to be peacemakers?

 

1. 1. 1. We can’t teach what we are not.

 

1. 1. 2. We are in training to peacemakers.

 

1. 1. 3. Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the sons of God.

 

1. 2. How do we create

 

1. 3. Do we know the aspect of how to resolve a conflict?

 

 

 

1. 4. A responsibility in the Millennium is to be a Peacemaker.

 

1. 5. To teach peace, we must live by following the principles of peace.

 

1. 6. There is not one group, large or small, who are not in need of Peace.

 

1. 1. 1. The state of Israel and Palestinians

 

1. 1. 2. Russia and Ukraine

 

1. 1. 3. China and Taiwan

 

1. 1. 4. India and Pakistan

 

1. 1. 5. National governments – Republicans and Democrats.

 

1. 1. 6. Neighborhoods

 

1. 1. 7. Families

 

1. 1. 8. Sadly, at times, even in the Church

 

1. 7. God is developing Peacemakers.

 

7. Peace is part of God’s Character.

 

1. 1. 1 Thes 5:23 – 23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

1. 2. Called the God of Peace 

 

1. 3. God is called the God of Peace 5 times in the NT

 

8. We are told to have peace with one another.

 

1. 1. 2 Cor 13:11 – Finally, brethren, farewell.  Become complete. Be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of Peace will be with you.

 

1. 2. Hebrews 12:14 - 14 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: 1

 

9. We reflect our God and Heavenly Father when we have peace.

 

1. 1. 1 Cor 14:33 - God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints

 

10. Today, I would like to focus on our role as peacemakers and share the principles of peacemaking in resolving conflict.

 

1. 1. We can all use peacemaking, whether in our conflicts or to learn how to help others in our congregation resolve disputes and achieve peace and reconciliation.

 

1. 2. Phil 4: 1-3 - Example of Euodia and Syntyche.  (Sinty -che) - Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved. I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord.  And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life.

 

1. 3. Paul requests the members of the Phillipi congregation to help these women be of the same mind. 

 

1. 4. There was a conflict of some type, but no details.

 

1. 1. 1. Both had labored with Paul in the Gospel

 

1. 1. 2. If Paul had written to you and said to help these women resolve their conflict, where would you start? 

 

1. 1. 3. What principles would you use?

 

1. 1. 4. For the remainder of the message let’s look at some principles we could use.

 

11. We will focus on Principles from the Bible but I wanted to acknowledge that Ken Sande's book THE PEACEMAKER was very helpful in creating material and organizing the subject of Peacemaking. 

 

1. 1. I have divided this subject into three main Principles.

 

1. 2. In many cases, the content is practical instruction on being peacemakers. 

 

1. 3. Three Principles of Peace

 

1. 1. 1. Start with yourself
      2. Reconcile
      3. Forgive

 

12. Start with Yourself

 

1. 1. Before any conflict can be resolved, the first step for a successful Peacemaker is to examine one's role in the conflict or if you are helping others like Euodia and Syntyche resolve conflict for each of them to start with themselves.

 

1. 2. I read something that illustrates how we tend to view conflict and issues that come our way. 

 

1. 3. It is about a five-year-old boy named Andrew. While visiting a neighbor with his parents, Andrew pulled out his kindergarten class picture and immediately began describing each classmate.

 

1. 1. 1. This is Robert; he hits everyone. This is Stephen. He never listens to the teacher. This is Mark. He chases us and is very noisy." Pointing to his own picture,
Andrew commented, "And this is me. I’m just sitting here minding my own business."

 

1. 1. 2. Sometimes we are like Robert who see that the things that likely he was involved in were contributed to everyone else.

 

1. 1. 3. If we find ourselves in a conflict, we should first look at ourselves before looking at the other people.

 

1. 4. Let’s review a principle found in the teaching of Jesus in Matt 7:3-5 

 

1. 5. Matt 7:3-5  And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, Let me remove the speck from your eye?; and look, a plank is in your own eye? 5 Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

 

1. 6. Explicit Instruction to address our shortcomings or sins first.  If we have a conflict or issue with someone, rarely is it a situation where we have zero part to play. (takes two to tango)

 

1. 7. In thinking of any challenging situation where there was not peace it is rare that I didn’t see some part that I played in the situation.

 

1. 8. Can we honestly think of any fight or conflict in which we totally minded your business and we did not play a role in causing the disintegration of peace to occur.

 

1. 1. Possible but rare

 

1. 10. When we look at ourselves in thinking about conflict and lack of peaceful situation it often helpful to examining our hearts.

 

1. 11. Often, what is in our hearts is the source of our problems.

 

1. 50. James 4:1-3 1 Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? 2 You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war.

 

1. 1000. Have you ever examined the progression of emotions and actions in a conflict you may have been involved in?

 

1. 14. In Ken Sande’s book the peacemaker He looked at James 4:1-3 and broke it down first starting with desire for something and how that leads to conflict.

 

 

• • Desire is something we want badly. Our thoughts are dominated by what we want - covetousness.

 

1. 1. 1. When we want something and feel that we will not be satisfied unless we get it, that desire starts to control us. 

 

1. 1. 2. It could be simply wanting respect but it could other things as well.

 

1. 1. 3. If we determine others stand in our way of what we desire, we start to focus why we can’t get what we want.

 

1. 1. 4. We believe a desire will make us happy or content. 

 

1. 1. 5. We can really begin to dwell on this desire. Eve justifying it as being good or worthwhile. 

 

1. 16. We Demand

 

1. 1. 1. Unmet desires as James likened it often works into deeper emotions. A desire begins to evolve into a demand or maybe a right.

 

1. 1. 2. We determine we deserve what we want or desire and start demanding it. I deserve that Raise, promotion, or award.

 

1. 17. We Judge

 

1. 1. 1. We start to judge others we see as getting in our way.

 

1. 1. 2. Or she only got that promotion because she eats lunch with the boss weekly.

 

1. 1. 3. And we can fight harder to get our way.

 

 

1. 18. We Punish

 

1. 1. 1. We start to justify hurting or causing pain to others who we believe are stopping us from our desires, which we think will make us happy.

 

1. 1. 2. We see this today in the conflicts in different parts of the word.  The Chinese desire to have Taiwan.  The Palestinians desire to have land they feel is theirs….and so on and so on.

 

1. 19. Our Hearts often are the source of our conflicts. We can ask God to show us if there is a problem with our hearts, a desire, or a lust deep down that motivates us to strive with someone else.

 

1. 1. 1. I think of the good example of Abraham with his nephew Lot, in which Abraham gave Lot the first choice of land he wanted.   Abraham said you take the land you would like, if you go to the left, I will the right, or if you go to the right, I will go to the left.

 

1. 1. 2. What if Abraham had desired the land that Lot wanted? 

 

1. 1. 3. What if his desire for the best land dominated his discussion with Lot? 

 

1. 1. 4. The result would not have been that Lot and Abraham would have departed in Peace.

 

1. 1. 5. Abraham thought of Lot’s best interest.

 

1. 1. 6. Abraham was doing what Paul wrote in Phil 2:2-4 - 2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

 

1. 20. The first step toward dealing with a conflict is to examine ourselves in any dispute and see how we contribute to it.

 

1. 21. If we humbly ask God to show us our role, we will likely move towards a position or attitude that can lead to reconciliation and Peace.

 

13. Let’s move to the following principle of Reconciling.

 

1. 1. When examining a conflict or offense, one very good principle is determining whether you can overlook an offense.

 

1. 1. 1. Let’s look at some Overlook Minor Offenses scriptures.

 

1. 1. 1. 1. Prov. 19:11 - 11 The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger,  And his glory is to overlook a transgression

 

1. 1. 1. 2. (A man’s wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook and offense)

 

1. 1. 1. 3. Prov 20:3 - It is honorable for a man to stop striving, Since any fool can start a quarrel.

 

1. 1. 1. 4. Prov 17:4 -  14 The beginning of strife is like releasing water; Therefore stop contention before a quarrel starts

 

1. 1. 1. 5. (Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out)

 

1. 2. Sometimes, we can’t overlook an offense. What situations are those? When should we not Ignore an offense?

 

1. 1. 1. When it is dishonoring God or the Church.

 

1. 1. 1. 1. When a situation is severe and visible enough, it reflects poorly on the church and God.

 

1. 1. 2. It is damaging a relationship.

 

1. 1. 1. 1. If you are unable to forgive an offense – feelings, thoughts, words, or actions toward another person, have been altered for more than a short period

 

1. 1. 3. Others are being hurt.

 

1. 1. 1. 1. Hurting the offender

 

1. 3. Assuming we have examined ourselves and cannot overlook a minor offense, let’s discuss the actual principles and practical approaches to reconciliation.

 

14. Reconcile

 

1. 1. After looking at ourselves to determine how we might have contributed to the problem, we may need to pursue peace and resolution further. 

 

1. 2. This may mean engaging the other party or parties to address their role in the conflict.

 

1. 3. Matt 18:15 - 15Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother.

 

1. 4. This is often taken as confronting, but if we read the previous verses, the context is about restoring a relationship.

 

1. 5. Let’s read what comes right before Matt 18:15 to see this.

 

1. 6. Matt 18: 12 - 14  12What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying? 13And if he should find it, assuredly, I say to you, he rejoices more over that sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray. 14Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.

 

1. 7. In this context, this scripture talks about approaching someone like a shepherd approaches a lost sheep.

 

1. 8. Right after Matt 18:15 and instructions on resolving an offense We are also reminded of how God has forgiven and merciful us as

 

1. 1. Matt 18:21-35 – the parable of the unmerciful steward.

 

1. 1. 1. Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made. The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, ‘Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt.“But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’ So his fellow servant fell down  at his feet and begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done. Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’ And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him.“So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother  his trespasses.”

 

1. 1. 2. It is important to follow Matt 18:15 and approach resolving a conflict with someone with the attitude of restoring the relationship and forgiveness.

 

1. 1. 3. What are some practical ideas for approaching someone as instructed in Matt 18:15 -  (your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother)

 

1. 10. Principles of Approaching someone on their role in a conflict

 

1. 1. 1. Choose the right time and place.

 

1. 1. 1. 1. Timing is an essential ingredient.

 

1. 1. 1. 2. Try not to discuss sensitive issues with someone who is tired, worried, about other things or is in a bad mood.

 

1. 1. 1. 3. Give careful thought where you will talk.  A location where others will not interrupt.

 

1. 1. 1. 4. A location that is free of other distractions. (TV)

 

1. 1. 1. 5. A location where both of you feel comfortable relaxed and Secure

 

1. 1. 1. 6. Ex. of Esther in chapter 7 waiting for 2nd day of the banquet before she expressed her petition If you read closely the King asked her on the first day but Esther waited till the 2nd day.

 

1. 1. 2. Talk in person whenever possible.

 

1. 1. 1. 1. Face-to-face is the best vs. a telephone.

 

1. 1. 1. 2. Facial expressions and body language can’t be seen over the phone.

 

1. 1. 1. 3. Wrong assumptions can be made when you can’t see the other’s reactions.

 

1. 1. 1. 4. Ex. of Abigail bowing and prostrating herself to David - Sam 25:23

 

1. 11. Plan your Words

 

1. 1. 1. Carefully planning your words can be the difference in restoring peace or increasing hostility.

 

1. 1. 2. You may want to write out your words

 

1. 1. 3. Define the issue clearly and not minor details

 

1. 1. 4. Use appropriate analogies and metaphors that the other person may understand.

 

1. 50. A description of the effect the problem is having on you and others.

 

1. 1. 1. Suggestions and preferences for a solution to the problem

 

1. 1. 2. Benefits that will be produced by cooperating to find a solution

 

1. 1000. Be objective

 

1. 1. 1. Keep remarks as objective as possible

 

1. 1. 2. Personal perceptions and feelings may not be helpful

 

1. 1. 3. Try not to exaggerate (using you always, you never, every time)

 

1. 1. 4. You were late for work five times in the last two weeks vs. always late.

 

1. 1. 5. Use the Bible carefully.

 

1. 1. 6. Eph 4:29 -29 - Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.

 

1. 1. 7. Make sure you are using the passage for its intended purpose.

 

1. 1. 8. Know when to stop.  It can be irritating to keep hearing scriptures, and people need time to reflect.

 

1. 14. Ask for feedback

 

1. 1. 1. What have I said that you would agree with?

 

1. 1. 2. What would you disagree with?

 

1. 1. 3. Have I explained myself well enough?

 

1. 1. 4. Offer Solutions and Preferences

 

1. 1. 5. Be prepared to offer solutions to specific problems identified.

 

1. 1. 6. But don’t try to give the impression that you have all the answers.

 

• • Recognize your Limits

 

1. 1. 1. You can raise concerns, suggest solutions, and encourage reasonable thinking but you can’t force change.

 

1. 16. IF that doesn’t work and the offense is serious enough then the next step, as instructed in Matt 18:17

 

1. 1. 1. Matt 18:17 - And if he refused to hear them, tell it to the church.  But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.  (not converted person)

 

1. 1. 1. 1. Ask the minister or an elder for help restoring the relationship.

 

1. 1. 1. 2. If the other person does not respond, then the minister has to judge whether this person is interested in reconciling with his brother or sister and take appropriate action.

 

1. 1. 2. Conflicts between members cannot be allowed to fester or be ignored. Restoring and reconciling are commands, not options.

 

1. 1. 3. Jesus, in the Sermon on the Mt., provided us with how important reconciliation is to God.

 

1. 1. 4. Matt 5:23 - 24 - First be reconciled.  Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

 

1. 1. 5. God is clear that he does not want unresolved conflict existing in his Church.

 

1. 17. Matt 18: the goal is to restore a relationship.

 

1. 1. 1.  Restoring as gently as possible. 

 

1. 1. 2. Like a shepherd finding a lost sheep.

 

1. 18. When approaching others, we remember how merciful God has been to us, which leads to the 3rd principle whichg is forgiveness.

 

15. Forgiveness

 

1. 1. True Forgiveness that leads to reconciliation is not easy but reviewing God’s attitude on forgiveness is helpful in our forgiveness of others.

 

1. 2. Jer 31:34 -…For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.

 

1. 3. Ps 103:12 - 12 As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.

 

1. 4. Ps 130:3-4 3 If You, Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? 4But there is forgiveness with You, That You may be feared.

 

1. 5. Forgiveness plays a vital role in having Peace. 

 

1. 6. Lee: The Last Years, by Charles Bracelen - After the war Gen. Lee visited a lady in Kentucky. The Lady took Lee to see the remains of a grand old tree in front of her house.  There she bitterly cried over the tree’s limbs and trunk that had been destroyed by the North’s artillery fire.  She looked to Lee for some comforting words or even a condemning of the North.  After a brief silence Lee said “Cut it down, my dear madam and forget it.”  It is better to forgive the injustices of the past than to allow them remain.  Let bitterness take root; it will poison the rest of our life.

 

1. 7. The important thing is to remember that once a person has expressed repentance, God calls you to forgive.

 

1. 8. It takes God’s power to help with Forgiveness.  Corrie Ten Boom. Nazi Prisoner

 

1. 1. If you are struggling with Forgiveness, ask God for help.

 

1. 10. It takes God’s power to help with Forgiveness.

 

1. 11. In this let me use an example that Corrie Ten Boom wrote about.

 

1. 50. Corrie Ten Boom. Nazi Prisoner.  Her father and sister Betsie had died in concentration camps.  After the war she went on to preach about forgiveness let me read from her account.

 

1. 1000. “it was a church service in Munich that I saw him the former S.S man who had stood guard at the shower room door in the processing center at Ravensbruck. He was the first of four actual jailers that I had seen since that time.  And suddenly it was all there-the roomful of mocking men, the heaps of clothing, Betsie’s pained face.  He came up to me as the church was emptying, beaming and bowing “how grateful I am for your message, Fraulein,” he said. ”to think that, as you say, HE has washed my sins away!”  His hand was thrust out to shake mine. AND I who had preached so often to the people in Bloemendall about the need to forgive, kept my hand at my side. Even as the angry, vengeful thoughts boiled through me, I saw the sin of them. Jesus Christ had died for this man; was I going to ask for more?  “Lord Jesus,”I prayed, “forgive me and help to forgive him.”  I tried to smile, I struggled to raise my hand. I could not. I felt nothing, not the slightest spark of warmth or charity. And so again I breathed a silent prayer. “Jesus, I cannot forgive him. Give me YOUR forgiveness.”  As I took his hand the most incredible thing happened. From my shoulder along my arm and through my hand a current seemed to pass from me to him, while into my heart sprang a love for this stranger that almost overwhelmed me.  So I discovered that it is not on our forgiveness any more than on our goodness that the world’s healing hinges, but on HIM. When he tells us to love our enemies, he gives, along with the command, the love itself.

 

1. 14. Forgiveness is not a natural human trait.  It requires God’s Spirit for us to forgive someone who has hurt us.

 

• • Forgiveness completes the peacemaking process. It is not easy, but we are called to forgive. Hopefully, no one has experienced a situation as extreme as Corrie Ten Boom's, but in our daily lives, we are called to reconcile and forgive. 

 

1. 16. Peacemaking and Forgiveness may take time in some cases, but God’s power and strength can provide us the motivation and love to become peacemakers who reconcile and work towards forgiveness.

 

1. 17. Our strength isn’t sufficient. We need God’s.

 

16. Brethren Peacemaking is what we are called to do. It is part of the job description for those who will serve with Jesus in the Millennium.

 

1. 1. Our training and commitment to Peacemaking is what God expects in us and what He will use to bring peace when He returns.

 

1. 2. We can’t teach what we haven’t done and lived ourselves.

 

1. 3. Peace comes from first looking at our role and addressing how we contributed to the conflict.

 

1. 4. If we can’t overlook the offense and we begin the process of the other party addressing their role in the conflict, we should approach from the attitude of restoring the relationship gently, as a shepherd restores a sheep to the flock.

 

1. 5. For members of the church, we can follow Matt 18:15, a process of helping restore a relationship.

 

1. 6. The next step is moving on and having true reconciliation and forgiveness.

 

1. 7. As peacemakers in training, let’s practice peacemaking.

 

1. 8. To be effective teachers in the Millennium, we must practice peacemaking principles now. 

 

1. 1. Indeed, Blessed are the Peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God.