Why do we care when things are broken? Pastor Sean concludes our series on the Fruit of the Spirit by speaking on Peace. We are invited to see the fragmentation in our lives as opportunities to seek repair and peace.
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“Gone forever are the days when people were in face-to-face relationships with only a small group of people who shared most experiences of life. Instead, the people we live near are rarely the people with whom we work. The people with whom we work are rarely the people with whom we play. And often none of these are the people with whom we worship. And in the electronics age...we often have contact with countless numbers of people to whom we remain all but anonymous…
In short, we regularly find ourselves moving in a dizzying number of settings whose expectations are radically different. The result is often a sense of fragmentation, a disturbing sense that not only our lives but also our very identities are fractured into scores of isolated if not contradictory fragments.”
— Philip Kenneson, Life On The Vine
James 3:13-18
Who in your community is understanding and wise? Let his example, which is marked by wisdom and gentleness, blaze a trail for others. If your heart is one that bleeds dark streams of jealousy and selfishness, do not be so proud that you ignore your depraved state. The wisdom of this world should never be mistaken for heavenly wisdom; it originates below in the earthly realms, with the demons.
Any place where you find jealousy and selfish ambition, you will discover chaos and evil thriving under its rule. Heavenly wisdom centers on purity, peace, gentleness, deference, mercy, and other good fruits untainted by hypocrisy. The seed that flowers into righteousness will always be planted in peace by those who embrace peace.
Romans 12:16-18
Work toward unity, and live in harmony with one another. Avoid thinking you are better than others or wiser than the rest; instead, embrace common people and ordinary tasks. Do not retaliate with evil, regardless of the evil brought against you. Try to do what is good and right and honorable as agreed upon by all people. If it is within your power, make peace with all people.