PILGRIMS CAN SEE GOOD DAYS IF THEY PURSUE PEACE

PHBC June 20, 1998

Series: First Peter, Ser. #51

HOW PILGRIMS CAN LOVE LIFE AND SEE GOOD DAYS

(Part III)

PILGRIMS CAN SEE GOOD DAYS IF THEY PURSUE PEACE

Scripture: I Pet. 3:8

TEXT: 1 Peter 3:10-11 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: 11 Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.

INTRO: In this message we will consider the last clause in the verse. 11 For he that will love life, and see good days . . . let him seek peace, and ensue it.

There are three words that I wish to define before getting into the heart of the message.

PEACE: It comes from the Greek word eijrhvnh (eirene) { i-ray’-nay} In the KJV it is translated peace 89 times, one 1 time, rest 1 time, quietness 1 time for a total of 92 times. It may refer to a state of national tranquility, exemption from the rage and havoc of war. It may refer to peace between individuals, i.e. harmony, concord.

There are other applications of the word but in the context of our verse it appears to refer to peace between individuals, i.e. harmony, concord.

SEEK: The word comes from the Greek word zhtevw (zeteo) {dzay-teh’-o} which is translated in the KJV seek 100 times, seek for 5 times, go about 4 times, desire 3 times, misc 7 times for a total of 119 times. It means to seek in order to find; to seek a thing; to seek [in order to find out] by thinking, meditating, reasoning, to enquire into; to seek after, seek for, aim at, strive after; to seek i.e. require, demand; to crave, demand something from someone. We are to seek peace with other with an intent to find it.

ENSUE: It is from the word diwvkw dioko { dee-o’-ko} which is translated in the KJV persecute 28 times, follow after 6 times, follow 4 times, suffer persecution 3 times, misc 3 times for a total of 44 times. It means to make to run or flee, put to flight, drive away; to run swiftly in order to catch a person or thing, to run after; to press on: figuratively of one who in a race runs swiftly to reach the goal; to pursue (in a hostile manner); in any way whatever to harass, trouble, molest one; to persecute; to be mistreated, suffer persecution on account of something; without the idea of hostility, to run after, follow after: someone; it is used metaphorically meaning to pursue; to seek after eagerly, earnestly endeavor to acquire.

The way it is used in this verse it means to eagerly and earnestly pursue peace. Really go all out to try to have a peaceful relationship with those around you.

I. ADMONITIONS TO SEEK PEACE

A. Our text is a quote from the psalmist. Psalm 34:14 Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.

B. Paul admonished the Roman congregation that, if possible, they should live peaceably with all men. Romans 12:18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

C. We are admonished to follow after things which make for peace. Romans 14:19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.

D. In Hebrews we are admonished to follow after peace with all men. Hebrews 12:14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.

1. The word translated follow in this verse is the same one that is translated ensue in our text.

2. Again we see the importance of going all out to have a peaceful relationship with those around us.

E. Peace within and the effort to live at peace with others is a fruit of the spirit. Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith.

F.

G. Jesus admonished us to seek peace. Mark 9:50 Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another. H.

II. SOME WAYS TO HAVE PEACE

A. Of course, we must pursue and seek it earnestly if we are to have peace with others. 1 Peter 3:11 Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.

B. Avoid speaking in a manner that would disturb peace. Proverbs 15:1 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

C. Be willing to do things necessary to maintain peace with others. Genesis 13:7-9 And there was a strife between the herdmen of Abram’s cattle and the herdmen of Lot’s cattle: and the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelled then in the land. 8 And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren. 9 Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left.

1. Note Abraham's willingness to yield to the choice of Lot.

2. He could as easily have said, "I will take the right and you can take the left" but that would not have made for peace.

3. This comes back to our study of submission to one another; this is exactly what Abraham did.

4. Though he had seniority over his nephew, Lot, he deferred and submitted to his choice rather than asserting his right to make the choice. In this manner peace was maintained.

D. Follow that which is good and never render evil for good and this will help to bring peace. Psalm 38:20 They also that render evil for good are mine adversaries; because I follow the thing that good is.

E. Remember how good it is to have peace among brethren. Psalm 133:1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!

F. Remember also that one of the most vital keys to being at peace with others is to seek to please the Lord first and foremost. Proverbs 16:7 When a man’s ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.

G. Peace can be maintained if we are always careful not to do something that may start contention. Proverbs 17:14 The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.

H. Remember that God blesses the peace maker. Matthew 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

III. THERE ARE TIMES WHEN PEACE IS NOT POSSIBLE

A. Paul recognized that peace may not always be possible. Romans 12:18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

B. Peace may not always be achievable because others may only be for war. Psalm 120:6-7 My soul hath long dwelt with him that hateth peace. 7 I am for peace: but when I speak, they are for war.

C. False doctrine must be withstood even if it genders strife with those teaching it. Acts 15:1-2 And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved. 2 When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.

D. There may be times when even a brother must be withstood to the face. Galatians 2:11 But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.

E. Peace must never come at the expense of truth. Jude 3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

CONC: Wherever and whenever it is possible, let us seek peace. Let us do those things that make for peace. When others or at odds let us seek to be peacemakers. But, I again point out that peace should never be achieved at the expense of truth. If we must fight, let us fight the good fight of faith.

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