Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered outside the gate. Therefore, let us go forth to him outside the camp, bearing his reproach. For we have no continuing city here, but we seek one to come.
Select a thought to read by choosing a collection, the month, and then the day:
“These six things doth the Lord hate; yea, seven are an abomination to Him. A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked imaginations, feet that are swift to run to mischief, a false witness that speaks lies, and he who sows discord among brethren”
David, speaking to his son in Proverbs 6:16
In Proverbs 6, David listed for his son’s benefit seven things that God especially hates. Thinking on those things recently, I pondered over this question: If God especially hates those seven things, then what are their opposites, for God must especially love them? So, I sat down with my son Elijah and we set about to determine what seven things are especially precious to God. This is the last of those seven precious things.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.” When the end of this miserable age finally comes, being called a child of God is all that will matter, or ever will matter again. God loves those who do and say things that bring moments of peace to this troubled world that He will choose them to live with Him forever, and He hates those who stir up strife so much that He will cast them in the Lake of Fire forever.
I knew a man once named Michael Hayes. He is now with the Lord, but while he was here, he brought peace everywhere he went. He taught me that there is such a thing as a spiritual gift of peace, and I have never met anyone quite like him in that respect. It cannot be adequately described, but Brother Michael had such a gift of peace about him that even sinners felt it.
Brother Michael worked for years in a meat packing plant in Louisville, Kentucky. He was so meek and harmless that he was the butt of many a joke among the other workers there.
One day, Buddy, a fellow worker with a tender heart noticed something on Brother Michael’s back and, embarrassed for him, decided to tell him it was there. When Buddy caught Michael alone, he said, “Hey, Michael, somebody has stuck a sign on your back that says, ‘I am a --------. Everybody in the plant is laughing at you.’”
Brother Michael’s response floored Buddy. “Oh, Buddy,” he replied in his usually soft tone, “I know. Let them have their fun.”
Michael had known all along that he was being made fun of again. But it was God’s opinion of him that made life worth living for Brother Michael, and God loved this man of peace. Buddy was so impressed that he wanted to know Michael better, and in not too long a time, Buddy Holland became “Brother Buddy” when he was baptized with the holy Ghost and fire in a prayer meeting to which Brother Michael took him. The gift of peace that Michael Hayes had from God had led another wandering sheep home.
The troublemakers that God most despises, we are told, are those who stir up strife among those who were formerly living in brotherly harmony. This disruption of peace usually is accomplished with the tongue. Solomon said that a whisperer can separate even the best of friends (Prov. 16:28). So, the opposite of that abomination is to bring peace and harmony to those who are at odds with God. Those who have the strength and wisdom and goodness to tear down those dividing walls are especially loved by God and have a special reward awaiting them in heaven. In the end, when billions of souls who lived in sin and strife are screaming for mercy and finding none, these precious peacemakers will be called the children of God, and they will never again find themselves in a position in which they have to make peace at all.