​Romans 8:6

​Romans 8:6
For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.
Good morning everyone, with all that is going on in this world, the wars, the protests, sicknesses and governments and nations fighting for supremacy, it is hard to find peace.
If we look at these situations being led by our flesh, we will never find peace. Because our fleshly thinking always wants to fight back. We even join in on battles that have nothing to do with us. This is the work of the enemy. He wants us to be judgemental, to walk in anger and not love. This will hold us back from the peace we so desperately desire.
But if we set our minds on Jesus, we can move from anger and judgment into a humble position of love and peace. He holds the key to everything we need. It is in Him where we get the means to fend off the enemy and to show love through the peace we have in our hearts.
I know the wars in Ukraine and Israel touch our hearts, with all of the senseless fighting and death. It is natural for us to feel sorrow for the people of these countries. But if we turn to rage and anger, we move past the emotions of love and peace in our hearts and step away from being like Jesus.
Just think about it. When Jesus walked on this earth, the Romans had full control and the people were oppressed. But, as Jesus states himself, He didn't come to defeat the Romans but to defeat sin and death for all who live, including them. He even healed the Roman Centurion' servant and not once can I find that He started a protest against them or did He use His great power to take them out.
And then there was the Apostle Paul, who was a Roman citizen by rights, who could have found a way to be released from prison because of this. Yet he took on a humble position, as a slave for Jesus and was imprisoned and was in chains. He too, shared the good news with the Romans the enemy of that day and even led some to a life in Jesus. This is showing peace, in a troubled time of oppression during the Roman rule. This is living for Jesus to it's fullest.
As much as we want to lash out in these troubling times, as believers, we are asked to do as Jesus did when He was here in the flesh. To walk in peace and to show love as we represent Him for the cause of God's Kingdom. To share the Good News, and the way to freedom found only in Jesus. The apostles all did this right to their deaths and the Apostle Paul was, by far the greatest example.
Again I say, we are not of this world, even though we still live in it. We belong to the Kingdom of God, here on earth. Blessed are the peace makers, for they will be called sons of God Matthew 5:9.
We cannot be a part of bringing peace to this world unless we show it, live in it, and share it with a heart of love, Jesus's love!!!
Have a blessed and wonderful day
Pastor John Oakley