Be at peace among yourselves. – 1 Thessalonians 5:13
During the Napoleonic Wars, Russian author Leo Tolstoy wrote his 1,250-page treatise on War and Peace. Now considered a classic in world literature, perhaps it, or part of it, was required reading when you moved into higher education. Among the lessons you may have learned from reading it was that each individual has a role in history and that every action, no matter how small, contributes to the tenor of life. Reading War and Peace, you glean a bit of Tolstoy’s philosophy: “The great thing is to get on with other people.” He emphasizes that achieving peace with others requires humility.
Followers of Christ do not need to read Tolstoy to discover this ideal—it is throughout Scripture! The story of Ruth contains a beautiful example of humility. Or consider the story of Joseph or Mary, the mother of Jesus. King David is an example of humility, although not always a perfect one by his own admission. Jesus, of course, is your prime model. Humility, according to C. S. Lewis, “is not thinking less of yourself; it’s thinking of yourself less.”
Being at peace among yourselves, as today’s verse directs, is not an individual admonition. It is for the body of Christ and for congregations of the faithful. The Apostle Paul addresses the struggles believers sometimes have in getting along with each other. It is the power of the Holy Spirit that erases divisions and creates unity in which peace can thrive. Through His power, theologian William MacDonald says, the Christian develops “love, brokenness, forbearance, kindness, tenderheartedness, and forgiveness that are indispensable for peace.” The enemy seeks to sow dissent, fear, strife, and anger among followers of Christ. Don’t give the devil a foothold in your life (Ephesians 4:27). Then pray for your fellow believers, particularly those in the United States, to exhibit such peaceable living with one another that the world will see it and long for it themselves.
Today’s Verse: 1 Thessalonians 5:13
and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:14-24
14 And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. 15 See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies, 21 but test everything; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil.
23 Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
