PURSUE PEACE

PURSUE PEACE

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: 2 Corinthians 13:11

Key Verse: “Finally, brethren, be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.” — 2 Corinthians 13:11

Supporting Texts: Matthew 5:9; Romans 12:18; Romans 14:19; Hebrews 12:14; Colossians 3:15; Ephesians 4:1-3; James 3:17-18; Proverbs 15:1; Psalm 34:14; 1 Peter 3:10-11

Description: Pursuing peace means actively choosing reconciliation, humility, forgiveness, wisdom, and love while refusing to become a source of strife and division.

INTRODUCTION

Peace is one of the beautiful characteristics of the kingdom of God. Scripture does not merely command believers to enjoy peace when circumstances are favourable; it calls us to pursue peace. In a world filled with disagreements, offences, competition, misunderstanding, and conflict, God's people are expected to become instruments through whom His peace is expressed.

Paul's instruction in 2 Corinthians 13:11 came at the conclusion of a letter addressing serious problems within the Corinthian church. He called them to spiritual maturity, encouragement, unity, and peace. He then assured them that the God of love and peace would be with them. This reveals that pursuing peace is not a sign of weakness; it is evidence of spiritual maturity and a reflection of God's character.

Pursuing peace does not mean compromising truth, tolerating wickedness, or avoiding every difficult conversation. Biblical peace requires wisdom, courage, forgiveness, humility, patience, and sometimes appropriate boundaries. We pursue peace because we belong to the Prince of Peace and because God wants our lives and relationships to become channels of His grace.

1. UNDERSTAND THE BIBLICAL MEANING OF PEACE

Biblical peace is deeper than the absence of disagreement.

a. Peace Comes From God (Romans 15:33) — God is the source of genuine peace. The peace He gives is not dependent upon perfect circumstances.

b. Christ Is Our Peace (Ephesians 2:14) — Jesus reconciled humanity to God and broke down barriers that separated people from one another.

c. Peace Guards The Heart (Philippians 4:6-7) — When believers bring their concerns to God through prayer and thanksgiving, His peace guards their hearts and minds.

d. Peace Is Part Of The Fruit Of The Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) — The Holy Spirit produces peace within believers as they walk under His influence.

Biblical Example: Jesus calmed the storm on the Sea of Galilee, demonstrating His authority to bring peace in the midst of circumstances that appeared uncontrollable (Mark 4:37-41).

2. MAKE PEACE WITH GOD YOUR FOUNDATION

Our ability to pursue peace with others begins with reconciliation with God.

a. Receive Peace Through Christ (Romans 5:1) — Having been justified by faith, believers have peace with God through Jesus Christ.

b. Walk In Obedience To God (Isaiah 48:18) — Obedience to God's commandments produces spiritual well-being and stability.

c. Trust God Completely (Isaiah 26:3) — God keeps in perfect peace those whose minds are fixed on Him because they trust in Him.

d. Let Christ Rule Your Heart (Colossians 3:15) — Believers are commanded to let the peace of Christ govern their hearts and relationships.

Biblical Example: Zacchaeus experienced transformation after encountering Jesus. His reconciliation with God produced a willingness to make things right with people he had wronged (Luke 19:1-10).

3. PURSUE PEACE WITH OTHER PEOPLE

Peace requires intentional effort.

a. Live Peaceably With Everyone (Romans 12:18) — Believers should make every reasonable effort to live peacefully with others.

b. Seek Peace And Follow It (Psalm 34:14) — God's people are instructed to turn away from evil, do good, seek peace, and pursue it.

c. Make Peace A Priority (Romans 14:19) — Believers should pursue the things that make for peace and mutual spiritual growth.

d. Do Not Retaliate (1 Peter 3:9) — Christians are called to bless rather than repay evil with evil.

Biblical Example: Abraham chose to separate peacefully from Lot when their herdsmen began to quarrel. He valued peace above competition over land (Genesis 13:5-11).

4. CONTROL YOUR WORDS

Many conflicts begin or intensify through careless speech.

a. Answer Softly (Proverbs 15:1) — A soft answer can turn away wrath, while harsh words can intensify anger.

b. Avoid Destructive Speech (Ephesians 4:29) — Believers should speak words that build others up and minister grace.

c. Refuse Gossip And Slander (Proverbs 16:28) — Whispering and destructive speech can separate close friends and create unnecessary conflict.

d. Speak The Truth In Love (Ephesians 4:15) — Peace does not require silence about important matters. Truth must be communicated with love and wisdom.

Biblical Example: Abigail used wise and peaceful words to prevent David from taking revenge against Nabal's household. Her wisdom turned a dangerous situation away from destruction (1 Samuel 25:23-35).

5. PRACTISE FORGIVENESS

Peace cannot survive where bitterness is continually nurtured.

a. Forgive As Christ Forgave You (Colossians 3:13) — Believers are called to forgive grievances because they themselves have received forgiveness from the Lord.

b. Remove Bitterness (Ephesians 4:31-32) — Bitterness, wrath, anger, and malice must be replaced with kindness, compassion, and forgiveness.

c. Release Revenge To God (Romans 12:19) — Christians must not take personal vengeance but trust God's righteous judgment.

d. Overcome Evil With Good (Romans 12:20-21) — God's people should refuse to allow another person's wrongdoing to determine their own character.

Biblical Example: Joseph forgave his brothers despite the terrible wrong they had committed against him and refused to repay their evil with revenge (Genesis 50:15-21).

6. HANDLE CONFLICT WITH WISDOM

Pursuing peace does not mean ignoring problems. Conflicts should be handled biblically.

a. Address Offences Properly (Matthew 18:15) — Jesus taught believers to address personal offences directly and privately where possible.

b. Listen Before Responding (Proverbs 18:13) — Answering a matter before hearing it fully can lead to shame and misunderstanding.

c. Be Quick To Hear And Slow To Speak (James 1:19) — Patience in communication can prevent unnecessary escalation.

d. Seek Reconciliation (Matthew 5:23-24) — Jesus taught that believers should take reconciliation seriously and make appropriate efforts to restore broken relationships.

Biblical Example: The apostles handled the dispute concerning Gentile believers through discussion, Scripture, testimony, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit rather than allowing the disagreement to destroy the church (Acts 15:1-29).

7. BECOME A PEACEMAKER

God does not call believers merely to enjoy peace but to help create an atmosphere of peace.

a. Blessed Are The Peacemakers (Matthew 5:9) — Jesus called peacemakers blessed because they reflect the character of God.

b. Promote Unity (Ephesians 4:3) — Believers should endeavour to maintain the unity of the Spirit through humility, patience, and love.

c. Strengthen Others (1 Thessalonians 5:11) — Encouragement builds relationships and helps prevent discouragement from becoming division.

d. Use Wisdom From Above (James 3:17–18) — Heavenly wisdom is pure, peaceable, gentle, and full of mercy. Those who sow peace produce a harvest of righteousness.

Biblical Example: Barnabas was known as an encourager. His ministry helped strengthen believers and contributed to the growth of the early church (Acts 11:22-26).

8. TRUST GOD WHEN PEACE IS CHALLENGED

There will be situations where peace is difficult to maintain, but believers can continue trusting God.

a. Do What Depends On You (Romans 12:18) — Scripture recognises that peace may not always be entirely within our control. Our responsibility is to do our part faithfully.

b. Do Not Be Overcome By Evil (Romans 12:21) — We must refuse to allow conflict to transform us into people of hatred or revenge.

c. Cast Your Burdens On God (Psalm 55:22) — God invites His people to place their burdens upon Him rather than carrying them alone.

d. Trust The Prince Of Peace (Isaiah 9:6) — Jesus is the Prince of Peace, and His authority remains greater than every storm and conflict.

Biblical Example: Paul and Silas maintained their spiritual peace while imprisoned. Instead of allowing suffering to produce bitterness, they prayed and sang praises to God at midnight (Acts 16:22-25).

CONCLUSION

Pursuing peace is a responsibility for every believer. We must begin with peace with God and then allow His peace to influence our hearts, words, relationships, families, churches, and communities. We must forgive, communicate wisely, resist retaliation, address conflict biblically, and make every reasonable effort to live peaceably with others.

Paul's instruction remains powerful: “Be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.” When we deliberately pursue peace, we reflect the character of our Father and create an atmosphere where His presence can work. May God make us peacemakers who heal wounds, reconcile people, strengthen relationships, and bring glory to Christ.

PRAYER POINTS

1. Father, thank You for giving me peace with You through Jesus Christ, in Jesus name.

2. Lord, let Your peace rule my heart, mind, family, and relationships, in Jesus name.

3. Father, give me grace to pursue peace with everyone as far as it depends on me, in Jesus name.

4. Lord, deliver me from anger, bitterness, revenge, strife, and every spirit that destroys peace, in Jesus name.

5. Father, give me wisdom to control my words and speak words that bring healing and reconciliation, in Jesus name.

6. Lord, help me to forgive those who have offended me and release every desire for revenge, in Jesus name.

7. Father, give me wisdom to handle every conflict in my family, church, ministry, and relationships, in Jesus name.

8. Lord, make me a peacemaker who brings reconciliation wherever there is conflict and division, in Jesus name.

9. Father, restore peace to every troubled area of my life and destroy every work of confusion and strife, in Jesus name.

10. Lord, help me to overcome evil with good and continually reflect the peace of Christ, in Jesus name.

PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS

1. The peace of God shall rule your heart and mind in every season.

2. Every storm of confusion, strife, and conflict troubling your life shall be brought under the authority of Christ.

3. You shall receive wisdom to speak words that heal, reconcile, and restore.

4. Every root of bitterness, anger, hatred, and unforgiveness shall be uprooted from your heart.

5. The Lord shall restore peace to your family, relationships, ministry, and every troubled area of your life.

6. You shall become an instrument of reconciliation wherever God places you.

7. You shall not be controlled by the conflicts and offences of other people.

8. The Lord shall give you grace to pursue peace without compromising biblical truth.

9. Your life shall carry the atmosphere of God's love, peace, wisdom, and grace.

10. You shall walk in the peace of Christ, live as a peacemaker, and experience the presence of the God of love and peace, in Jesus name.