Towards the end of this past Sunday's sermon, Pastor Sam referred to the Beatitudes as signs of the kingdom life. That is, people whose lives reflect the Beatitudes are people who will inherit the kingdom of heaven.
Our pastor, in emphasizing the role of peace (see Matthew 5:9) as a catalyst for repairing relationships, gave the following warning: “This is not a time to take risk with position.” It's an especially important warning for those of us who regularly attend church out of routine. We are called to examine ourselves, to know where we are in the faith, to know where we stand on issues of compassion and justice, and to exude peace: being peaceful, peaceable, and peacemakers.
It is an imitation of Jesus, the Prince of Peace who is also the Repairer of the Breach. In this pursuit of peace, our hearts cannot make room for gossip and dissension. If peace is the status quo, then we should expect to see peace evidenced in our relationships. If peace is absent from our relationships, then we cannot claim to be true disciples of Jesus Christ.
Jesus has been urging Bronx Bethany to catch this wave of His passion, which He has poured into our community for months. It is our kairos moment. My prayer is that we will joyfully obey His call.
Lord, make us instruments of Your peace.
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