Peaceable but not cowards

By: Chris Johnson

Not succumbing to despair but striking the balance of inner peace yet not “milktoasts.”

Quoting from a spiritual warrior who struck this balance in his lifetime.

“Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.”

“THIS is the seventh of the beatitudes: and seven was the number of perfection among the Hebrews. It may be that the Saviour placed the peacemaker the seventh upon the list because he most nearly approaches the perfect man in Christ Jesus. He who would have perfect blessedness, so far as it can be enjoyed on earth, must attain to this seventh benediction, and become a peacemaker. There is a significance also in the position of the text.

The verse which precedes it speaks of the blessedness of ‘the pure in heart: for they shall see God.’ It is well to understand that we are to be ‘first pure, then peaceable.’

Our peaceableness is never to be a compact with sin, or toleration of evil. We must set our faces like flints against everything which is contrary to God and His holiness: purity being in our souls a settled matter, we can go on to peaceableness. Not less does the verse that follows seem to have been put there on purpose. However peaceable we may be in this world, yet we shall be misrepresented and misunderstood: and no marvel, for even the Prince of peace, by His very peacefulness brought fire upon the earth. He Himself, though He loved mankind, and did no ill, was ‘despised and rejected of men, a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief.’ Lest, therefore, the peaceable in heart should be surprised when they meet with enemies, it is added in the following verse, “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Thus the pýeacemakers are not only pronounced to be blessed, but they are compassed about with blessings. Lord, give us grace to climb to this seventh beatitude! Purify our minds that we may be ‘first pure, then peaceable,’ and fortify our souls, that our peaceableness may not lead us into cowardice and despair, when for Thy sake we are persecuted.
http://www.ccel.org/ccel/spurgeon/morneve.d0317pm.html
(Taken from Evening by Evening by C.H. Spurgeon, March 17)

Present voices reflecting our concerns

#Email 1
Hi Bill, I keep saying it over and over…..God have MERCY on these United States of America. I honestly think it’s too late to ask for blessings on our country. God bless and keep you, sir, and bless your work, F. F

#Email 2
It’s in your mailbox and This message was so timely today as I arrived home to find a pornographic postcard in our mailbox advertising a subscription to Playboy (gee, I hate to even capitalize that word). Of course, I will throw it away before it crosses my husband’s eyes, but I was astounded at how MUCH of a woman’s bare body the U.S. Postal system lets arrive at my doorstep without a cover. If I had a young son who picked up our mail, I would be mortified! Please keep fighting the good fight. I’m sure it must sometimes feel like you’re swimming upstream (in fact, probably most times in this country and this time in history), but God is using you to reach those He would have you reach. Of that I am positive.
Texas

#Email 3

Bill, I am so grateful to you for your work. I know this isn’t easy. I can usually maintain hope in the face of evil but this is something I cannot stomach right now. I do however, thank you for your courage and conviction in getting this message out. We must fight this evil. God bless you mightily for your persistence. I will keep you and all of us in my prayers as we fight for decency, purity, and chastity. Our bodies are the temples of the Holy Spirit. May we all have the grace to understand that. In Christ, Lisa
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To donate online: https://americandecency.org/

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American Decency Association
Bill Johnson, President
P.O. Box 202
Fremont, MI 49412
ph: 231-924-4050
https://americandecency.org/

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