Peace-full is not to be confused with “isolationist.”  Even though a particular deed can be more power-full when effectuated in solitude, this does not mean that you must emotionally isolate yourself while performing any such action (“For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.” ~ Jesus in Matthew 18:20).  Know as well that socially interactive options are not “wrong”, of course.  It is totally acceptable and often Right Acton to collaborate with, work amongst, &/or engage the assistance of others.  It is simply the case that the solitary option is the one you undertake without assistance or support from others, regardless of whether you are working among them or alone.  It is the most power-full option; the one requiring the most faith and thus, the one most in harmony with God’s Will for your life (“And Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted … Then, filled with the Power of the Spirit, he returned to Galilee” ~ Luke 4:1-2+14 — see also Matthew 7:21, 8:18, 8:20, 9:1, 10:14, 10:22, 12:15, 13:1, 14:13, 14:23, 15:21, 15:29, 16:21, 16:24, 17:1, 19:1-2, 19:29, 20:17-18, 24:3, 24:40, 26:36-39 and Luke 4:42, 5:3, 6:12, 9:23, 9:36, 9:58, 12:51, 13:24, 14:26, 16:15, 18:29-30, 19:28, 21:37, 22:42, 23:34) …

That others do not follow your way does not make them “wrong” or even “sinners” – that is not for us to judge (“God has shown me that I should not call anyone profane or unclean.” ~ Acts 10:28).  Rather, your desire as Christians must be to help others to assist their True Selves along their paths back to God.  Remember to be humble and gentle with everyone, for this is The Way (“The Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome, but rather Kind to everyone; and apt teacher, patient; guiding [even] opponents with gentleness.” ~ 2 Timothy 2:24-25) …

Some will say that this definition seems “distant” or “passive” — that we cannot help others when acting individually.  Yet we must re-member that it is not possible to ever “help” another to “get better” (“If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust from your feet as you leave that house or town.” ~ Jesus in Matthew 10:14 & “When they heard this, they were filled with rage … But Jesus passed through the midst of them and went on his Way.” ~ Luke 4:28-30) … Indeed, we can only offer true assistance to others while being true to God’s Will, and we can only be truly compassionate with others when we are not determined to change them or judge their chosen Ways in any way (“First say ‘Peace to this house’, and if anyone is there who shares in Peace, your Peace will rest upon that person, but if not, your Peace will return to you.” ~ Jesus in Luke 10:5-6) …

Additionally, even though Peace-full actions must be forgiving, their forgiveness in no way condones or encourages the “evil” that has been forgiven.  Forgiveness brings us Peace by accepting whatever has happened and letting God do the judging thereof (“Beloved never avenge yourselves … for it is written:  Vengeance is mine saieth the Lord.” ~ Romans 12:19 & “Is it not those who are inside that you are to judge?  God will judge those outside.” ~ 1 Corinthians 5:12 & “He will repay according to each one’s deeds … For God shows no partiality.” ~ Romans 2:6+11) …

Forgiveness brings us Peace by giving Love to those who need it the most (“Put away from you all bitterness and wrath, … together with all malice.  Be Kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God has Forgiven you.” ~ Ephesians 4:31-32) … Forgiveness does not keep us from being just or defending the weak.  Rather, it allows us to do Good against the wrong that others perpetrate without condemning the wrongdoer in the process.  It allows us to be compassionate towards the pain that caused these “perpetrators” to behave poorly in the first place – and thereby heal the same (“If you Forgive the sins of any, they are Forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” ~ Jesus in John 20:23) …

Likewise, it is important to remember that an action that is direct — and therefore “simple” — is not necessarily “easy.”  Indeed, it is often the greatest challenge &/or the most complicated alternative that will provide the doer thereof with the most Peace – as long as that task is actualized in a personal manner (“No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone.  God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it.” ~ 1 Corinthians 10:13) … The Bible is filled with admonitions for us to persevere through hardship, disappointment, and disillusionment (“Be patient in suffering; persevere in payer.” ~ Romans 12:12), and as such, our truly Peace-full actions are not those that necessarily bring us the most ease or pleasure after they have been completed.  Rather, they are the choices most in harmony with God’s Will (i.e. loving, selfless service), and thus they are the choices that bring us the most Peace while we are performing them (even after bringing us great consternation, angst & worry before we undertake them) …

Finally, merely because an action inspires inner Peace, it in no way makes that choice a “boring” one.  In fact, there are many options in each moment that can be simultaneously “right” and also exciting (“I have said these things to you that my Joy might be in you, and that your Joy might become complete” ~ Jesus in John 15:11) … Joyful actions bring as much inner Peace as calm ones.  It is not what we are doing that satisfies God’s Will, but rather why we have chosen to engage a particular action that determines its importance and its “holiness” – indeed, its effectiveness as well (“Be Wise in what is Good and guileless in what is evil.” ~ Romans 16:19) …

Filed under: Knowing God's Will by Scaughdt