In the
Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) Jesus stated, "Blessed are the peacemakers:
for they shall be called the children of God" (Matthew 5:9). Although it is not always possible, the
followers of the Prince of Peace should make every effort to work for peace and
good will among men. Paul wrote, "If it
be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men" (Romans 12:18). The Hebrew Writer penned, "Follow peace with
all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord" (Hebrews
12:14). Among the seven things that are
an abomination to God is "he that soweth discord among brethren" (Proverbs
6:19).
In our
efforts to work for peace among divergent groups as peacemaker we must keep in
mind:
(1) Peace is not always possible when it comes
to principles. In other words, there are
some things that are not negotiable. Those that believe in the God of the Bible
cannot accept or tolerate any other god.
As God expressed when giving the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:3-6 ASV),
"Thou shalt have no other gods before me . . .
Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them, for I Jehovah
thy God am a jealous God . . ." Jesus expressed the same concept when he stated
in John 14:6, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the
Father, but by me."
(2) Some do
not want peace. They have a vested
interest power or prestige. For example
the Jewish people in the first century generally accepted the ministry of
Jesus, as they did his forerunner John the Baptist. However the Jewish leadership was enshrined
in their power and prestige and refused to recognize Jesus was indeed the
Messiah. Although some of the rulers did
believe (E.g., Nicodemus in John 3) they did not publicly verbalize it
because they would be put out of the synagogue (John 12:42).
When it
comes to the peace that comes from God, the bottom line is that Jesus is our
peacemaker between us, individually, and God.
As Paul expressed it (Colossians 1:20), he "made peace through the
blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself [God]." To obtain the hope of a home in Heaven, we
must repent of our sins and obey the Gospel.
The Lord will then add us to His church (Acts 2:47) and we shall then be
enrolled the Lamb's Book of Life (Revelation 21:27).
Dale I. Royal, Elk City OK