When you hear the word peace, what comes to mind? Maybe the word casts your mind to a quiet meadow or mountain, far away from the distractions of the world and stresses of life. Maybe you are reminded of a past conflict between yourself and a friend that was resolved. Or maybe you are thinking of when nations call for a ceasefire, or sign agreements, that put an end to conflict and allow those nations to recover and rebuild. All of these examples can be linked with peace, but are they good examples of true, lasting peace?
In a world full of conflict and disaster, sometimes it’s hard to see how peace can be achieved at all, and if it were to be achieved, how long it would last. But the problem with the peace that our world looks for, is that it doesn’t get to the heart of why peace is so fleeting and hard to reach, but instead, tends to settle for a shallow peace, that never really satisfies, and looks more like two people/groups/nations just tolerating each other.
The reason peace is so hard to achieve and maintain is because of sin, however, in Christ there is hope. For in His life we see peace in its fullness, through His relationship with God the Father, through how He dealt with others and how He lived His life. And it was His life on earth that paved the way for us to obtain a peace that is both true and lasting, through His death upon the cross and His resurrection on the third day. Christ’s life, death and resurrection has opened the door for us (through faith in Him) to have true and lasting peace with God the Father, as Romans 5v1 says: “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.“
This is our new found standing before God, one of peace through His son. But we should not just be receivers of this peace, but rather as our beatitude says, we should be makers of peace also:
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God”
We are called not to be people who cause division, but rather people who in every way are peace-filled and peace-pursuing. We are called to be people who lay aside pride, envy, and anything else that would stand in the way of peace between ourselves and the people with whom we interact. And we are to do this while maintaining our convictions and our integrity, instead of throwing them away.
So, ask yourself . . .
How can I be a peacemaker where God has placed me this summer?
In Rom 14:19, Paul says that we are to “make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.” Being a peacemaker is hard at times; it goes against the grain of our sinful nature that tells us to pursue peace only when it’s easy. Society tells us to be ready to snatch peace away whenever anyone wrongs us in any way – but this is not the peace that God is pleased with. And so, what does making every effort look like? Well in one word – sacrifice.
Pursuing peace often requires sacrifice – choosing patience over frustration, forgiveness over resentment, and the good of others over our own preferences.
God calls us to be peacemakers!
This world we live in will never see the end of conflict, friction or disaster this side of eternity; but as God’s children, we are called to be ‘peace-makers’ in the world, bringing the peace of God where ever we go. And so, as we serve this summer, how can we be peacemakers where God has placed us?
Well, we do this by seeking to reflect the peace we have with God in the way we love, serve, and build up those around us, pointing them to Christ, the true source of lasting peace.
Further passages to study:
Read Ephesians 2:14-17
Read 2 Timothy 2:22
