The Author of Peace...

“For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.” ~ 1 Corinthians 14:33, NKJV

The Corinthians neglected order when exercising their spiritual gifts. Their focus on self-glorifcation led to chaotic, unprofitable meetings that were all about them and not all about the Lord. Paul gently calls the Corinthian believers on their error, and gives them instructions on how their meetings should be conducted, saying in verse 26, "Let all things be done for edification." The selfishly ambitious madness that characterized the Corinthian church gatherings was not of God; for God is not the author of confusion, but of peace. This is a principle that holds true for all the churches of the saints. It also holds true in the lives of these saints (that is, all believers). The world today is confused. It denies truth. Its wisdom is convoluted, temporal, fallacious, and even deadly. It has no foundation on which to stand, or to which to cling in the storms and tempests of existence. It does not know how to answer the difficult questions, like evil, suffering, death, meaning, or human value. It lacks self-control. It is a roiling mass of unguided emotion and directionless groupthink snowballing into chaos and destruction. The world is not the place to go if you want peace. God is. He sacrificed Himself in order to make peace between us and Him, breaking down the barrier of sin that separated man from the righteous God. His Son takes away our sin, makes us new creations, sets us before His Father as beloved sons and daughters, gives us eternal life, and gives us His own Spirit and His own mind (one of order and truth!). He takes our troubled souls and soothes them with His peace that surpasses all understanding, peace that can come because the sovereign Creator God is at peace with us, loves us, cares for us, empowers us, works all things together for good for us, and has prepared a place for us in His kingdom. That peace we have with God and within ourselves then enables us to have peace with one another, because we are no longer controlled by sin, or driven to pursue an endless, futile quest to satisfy our own inner longings, fears, and insufficiencies. In Christ, we have the power to say "No," to the sins of selfishness, pride, anger, envy, and unforgiveness. In Christ we are also filled to the overflowing with all that we need and so much more. We have the room and the resources to extend God's love to others rather than pushing them down in an attempt to put ourselves forward! We can live at peace with God, at peace within ourselves, and at peace with others. Our God is not the author of confusion. He is the author of peace. Peace is His freely-given gift to all those who ask it of Him. Jesus Himself cries out to the troubled soul: “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

by Rebecca