Brethren in Christ Core Value #8:

Pursuing Peace

“We value all human life and promote forgiveness, understanding, reconciliation, and non-violent resolution of conflict.”

We pursue peace because it is our heart’s desire, yet it is so elusive. I think it was nearly a decade ago that an article appeared in the “New Yorker’ by Amos Elon about the unrest in Jerusalem. He wrote in part: “ Hardly a day passes with out a riot or a stoning, without cars being torched or fire bombs thrown, without attempted lynchings or the stabbing of an Israeli by a Palestinian, or vice versa.

After each incident, municipal cleaning machines marked “CITY OF PEACE” in three languages, appear on the scene to wash blood from the streets in time for the next group of tourists to pass by on their way to worship.”

Every day “top of the news” reports on our nation’s involvement in two wars in two countries, while area news highlights shootings, a depressed mother drowning her child, a high school teacher sexually molesting a student, and domestic violence. Yet we are encouraged because the Bible says there is a day coming when swords will be beaten into plowshares (Isaiah 2:4 and Micah 4:3). We long for that day, and would like to think it is dawning, but reportedly, a button for sale at Chicago’s Peace Museum had this inscription: “Beat your enemies into plowshares.”

From the core of our being we purpose to value all human life. We value the energetic teen with a healthy body, good grades and a kind, courteous manner. The successful young businessman of excellence who is kind and generous, we value him. Then there is the beautiful little girl with very limited mental capabilities, or the unborn male fetus that could complicate a couple’s ten-year plan, the convict on death row, and the soldier in the enemy ambush. Is one more special to God than the other? Then the Supreme Court hands down their verdict and by a slim majority, certain human lives are devalued. So what should we do? As someone said, “There are no quick fixes for our culture of violence, but that’s no excuse for doing nothing.”

We begin by pursuing and proclaiming peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1). We all have a huge problem and God has an even bigger answer in Jesus! When you and I accept peace with God then we receive the peace of God and when we have the peace of God, then we begin to have peace with other people we never thought possible. We begin pursuing peace with everyone...at home, in the church, throughout the community and even with our enemies.

The Bible is so realistic. The Bible never assumes that you will get through life without making enemies. The Bible only tells us how to deal with our enemies. “Do not gloat when your enemy falls.” (Proverbs 24:17) “If your enemy is hungry, feed him.” (Romans 12:20) “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” (Matthew 5:44) We begin learning to attack the problem rather than attacking the person. It’s not an easy learning curve. I never cease to be amazed by long time committed mature believers that suddenly seem to become quite abrasive in the tight confines of conflict. Yet, whenever I point my finger there are always three fingers pointing back at me. I’m learning, though rather slowly, that I’m never persuasive when I’m abrasive. In the learning process we can sometimes identify with a ten-year-old boy, who after he had been pushed into the mud by a nasty classmate, was told that it was not necessary to get even because God punishes evildoers. He responded, “Okay, I'll give God ‘til Saturday.” Just give God some room to work!

Perhaps you feel somewhat as I feel. “Wow! Pursuing peace is a high ideal! I don’t think I can do it!” Think again. Don't be discouraged. Remember, “People who try to do something but fail, are infinitely better off than those who try to do nothing and succeed.” After all, even the Bible says, in Romans 12: “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”

The Bible is realistically practical . We are all responsible for our own actions, but cannot be held responsible for the actions of others. Therefore, do what you can, attempt what is possible and leave the consequences of the other person’s reaction to God. You may not be able to resolve the conflict in Iraq or Afghanistan even though you pray for peace, but by withholding sharp words you may be God’s agent in healing a family squabble, restoring a relationship, or …”keeping the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” in your local church. (Ephesians 4:3). In applying Jesus’ words of Matthew 5:39, “When someone strikes you on the check and you strike them back, that’s expected—the natural reaction. When someone strikes you on the other cheek and you still don’t retaliate even after running out of cheeks, that’s remarkable—the supernatural reaction.” Without a doubt, pursuing peace is supernatural and realized in and through Christ.

Bishop John

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