Divine Nature

2 Peter 1:3 "By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence."
The past few weeks have seen significant racial tensions.  Charlottesville, Boston, New Orleans, Memphis.  In recent years we have also seen racial tensions in Orlando, Ferguson. New York City.  The list of cities that have begun to experience rising racial tensions is growing ever longer.  Thankfully not violent, but Huntsville can be added to the list with the recent protest concerning a statue at the county courthouse.  The issues involved, the causes behind the protests are different, but the root has remained racial tensions.  What part in this tense environment is the Church to play?
Paul outlines for us in his letter to the church in Galatia the evidence of grace in and through us in a real world way.  Galatians 5:22-26 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The law is not against such things. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another."
We are given everything we need to live a godly life.  As Christians we are to be the peacemakers.  We are ambassadors of Christ to the world.  Man being reconciled to God leads to man being reconciled to man.  God has given us his grace that bears fruit.  Fruit that brings reconciliation.  It is difficult to bring about reconciliation while standing on the outside.  God has given us his divine nature to bring about reconciliation.  He came near to reconcile us to himself.

--Zine Smith

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