Experiencing Peace

Peace between people, whether at home, in society, or even among nations, begins with peace between God and people. Reconciliation with God is the starting point of all kinds of reconciliation between people. Apart from it, there can be no peace at all. If ever, it will just be a temporary truce. Soon, conflicts will arise again for as long as human hearts are in enmity toward God. All anger and hostility emanate from sin within. Only God can create new hearts that are no longer bent on fighting others to have one's way.

How does this happen?

First, we must acknowledge that sin separates us from God as well as from others. Sin is a power that alienates and creates death, first with God, then with people. The main result of sin, therefore, is separation. According to Isaiah in ‭Isaiah 59:2, "‬[2] But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear."

In addition, sin disrupts the harmony and unity among people by introducing selfishness, pride, and discord into relationships. When individuals prioritize their own desires over the well-being of others, it inevitably leads to conflict, division, and brokenness in communities. This is evident throughout history and continues to manifest in various forms of injustice, oppression, and strife in society today.

The apostle Paul says in ‭Romans 1:28-31, "[28] Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done. [29] They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, [30] slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; [31] they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy."

Second, we must understand and believe that true reconciliation actually starts with God, not with us. It is God who initiates reconciliation. The Bible says in ‭John 3:16-17, "[16] For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. [17] For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." Again, the apostle Paul says in ‭Romans 5:6-8, "[6] You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. [7] Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. [8] But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

This is important. Our actions and reactions toward those who might hurt us must be based on God's character, not our ego or pride. He initiates reconciliation, so must we. That's why Jesus says in ‭Matthew 5:23-24, "[23] “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, [24] leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift." Most conflicts remain unresolved because we tend to nurse our pride rather than surrender it to the Lord.

Third, our reconciliation with God through faith in Jesus Christ is the starting point of our journey of faith toward becoming peacemakers. We pursue reconciliation because we are children of God. We do not pursue peace so that people will affirm us. In that case, our reward will be from people rather than from God. Jesus said in ‭Matthew 5:9, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God." Again, he said in ‭Matthew 6:1, “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven."

This similar to what the apostle Paul is saying in ‭Colossians 3:12-14, "[12] Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. [13] Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. [14] And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." Therefore, we must pursue peace because of our new identity in Christ. In other words, we must live out our true identity as God's chosen people. To do otherwise (i.e., to remain hostile toward others) is to continue to live according to our false selves which has been formed according to the patterns of this world.

Fourth, becoming true peacemakers requires training. We do not and cannot be peacemakers by nature overnight. We participate in God's nature over time and only by grace through faith. The Holy Spirit is the only source of power for this kind of transformation from beginning to end. The apostle Paul says to Timothy, and to us, in ‭1 Timothy 4:7-8, "[7] Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. [8] For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come." In the same way, he says in ‭Philippians 2:12-13, "[12] Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, [13] for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose." Every instance of conflict is an opportunity to be trained by the Holy Spirit in peacemaking.

Fifth, the context in which we learn how to be true peacemakers is the community of faith, not the worship service. Coming together for worship and to listen to God's word as a congregation is important. But living in community with others is even more important especially when it comes to our spiritual transformation. The actual crucible of relationships within the body of Christ is the classroom for our discipleship in peacemaking. Avoiding the call to belong to a community of faith for whatever reason will only result in stunted growth. The means of grace for our maturity is the body of Christ. The apostle Paul teaches this in ‭Ephesians 4:15-16, "[15] Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. [16] From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work."

Ultimately, sin creates a barrier between God and humanity, hindering the restoration of fellowship and reconciliation. However, through the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, God provided a way for this separation to be overcome. By accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior, repenting of sin, and embracing His forgiveness, we can experience restoration in our relationship with God and with one another. This transformation empowers us to live in harmony with God's will and to pursue reconciliation and unity within our communities, reflecting the love and grace of God to the world.

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