You: Ambassador of Peace

In his letter to the churches of Galatia, Paul underscored the need for the unity of believers—Jewish and non- Jewish. What upset Paul was Peter’s cowardly decision not to eat with non- Jewish believers because their food and food preparation probably didn’t meet the Jews’ strict food laws and traditions. Instead of promoting peace, as Peter intended, he created division and robbed some churches of their well- being. “There is neither Jew nor Greek . . . in Christ,” Paul proclaimed (3:28). Surely Peter knew that, didn’t he?

If believers recognize that it is okay for Jews to be Jews and Gentiles to be Gentiles, then the church will be united in mission and, as Paul says, “peace and mercy” (6:16) will be upon it.

The same applies to all of us. If we can accept our brothers and sisters, we also will be blessed with the peace of God. Make a mental list of those you’ll encounter today whom you, as an ambassador of God’s peace, need to accept.