Biblical Eldership Church Leadership

Paul ’s Letters to the Churches

are set over us, small wonder if they are unable to perform the miracles that we demand of them. If we bear in mind “the work’s sake” we may be more inclined to esteem them very highly in love.17

LIVE IN PEACE

It is not easy to live in peace, even with fellow Christians. Satan does all he can to create warfare and division among God’s people, and Christians often help him by acting in pride and selfishness rather than in humility and love. In fact, so many churches are marked by fighting and quarreling that a church at peace seems like an oasis in the desert. Yet the testimony and spiritual growth of a church is intri cately tied to the measure of peace it enjoys. So Paul appropriately concludes his exhortation with a command directed to both the lead ers and congregation: “Live in peace with one another.” The relationship between a congregation and its leaders always involves a delicate tension that can easily erupt into misunderstand ing, ill feeling, or even division, such as occurred many times be tween Moses and the people of Israel. Both the leaders and the led must be fully aware of potential conflicts and their solemn duty to conscientiously work for peace. Thus the New Testament repeat edly exhorts and teaches Christians about the importance of peace making: - Blessed are the peacemakers (Matt. 529). 0 Be at peace with one another (Mark 9250). 0 So then let us pursue the things which make for peace (Rom. 14:19). 0 Live in peace (2 Cor. 13:11). 0 Being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Eph. 4:3). 0 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts (C01. 3215). 0 Now may the Lord of peace Himself continually grant you peace in every circumstance (2 Thess. 3:16). 0 And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace (James 3:18). 0 Let him seek peace and pursue it (1 Peter 3:11).

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