“And if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it, but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you.”
So, let me ask you, How do you allow your peace to rest on another person or home? This is important for us to understand, especially in these days when our world is so divided and disturbed. Let me point out three ways in which we allow our peace to rest on other people. But before I can do this we need to understand two things. First, we need to know that God's peace only flows out of a vital relationship with Him through our Lord Jesus Christ. His peace balances and stabilizes everything in our lives. And we also need to understand what makes others worthy of our peace. The next verse explains.
“And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town.”
We can know people are worthy of God's peace when we realize that they are receptive to what we have to say about Jesus. This may be a matter of timing. Had Ananias, who went to Paul after he saw Jesus on the Damascus road, gone one day earlier, he would not have found him receptive. This usually requires some conversation. You may need to tell someone something about the gospel to understand how responsive they might be. And you will need some spiritual discernment which comes through prayer.
Communion
When you realize someone is at least open to hear the things of God, you can open yourself up to communion with them. One of the most effective tools of evangelism is our own vulnerability with others. And after people receive Christ our peace with Him is shared with them. You may be familiar with Philippians 4:7 where Paul spoke of peace that comes from prayer.
“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Note that this peace is plural. It does not simply guard your heart. It stands guard over “our hearts and minds.”
Assurance
Next we share God's peace as we teach the foundations of His truth. We can share God's love and grace by assuring people of the implications of the gospel. We can say things to them like, “God will hold you tightly in His hands.” or “Nothing will ever separate you from God's love.”
Prayer
Finally, the peace that transcends understanding is supernatural. We touch hearts with God's peace when we pray with them and for them. People often become receptive when we pray for them. People who are not yet Believers are often moved when someone prays for them in their hearing. And of course, we help new Believers grow in the assurance of God's peace as we pray together.
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