Today’s passage: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
As a subscriber of various political and religious news lists, I am appalled by the enormous barrage of sin that faces us daily and the tolerance of its invasion of government policy, education and “entertainment”. The intent of our nation’s forefathers to protect this country from a politically run national religion via the writing of the First Amendment to the Constitution has been taken so far out of context and manipulated into such a ridiculous mess that to even allude to God or Christianity now strikes fear in the hearts of many politicians and judges. The concept of “separation of church and state” is being used by the government to silence or even invoke intolerance of Christians themselves for attempting to speak the truth in love while it simultaneously supports the message of particular hatemongering anti-religious groups. Large corporations of long-standing American brands sponsor “gay pride” events and a national space flight center announced June as “Gay and Lesbian Pride Month”. And if these examples are not enough to confirm the decay in our nation’s moral fiber, formerly kid-friendly fast-food chains have pushed the limit of decency in their television ads so far in their efforts to sell hamburgers to our families that the FCC barrier is indistinguishable.
As Christian women, we may become so discouraged that we feel our impact is insignificant. Every day that we open the newspaper, turn on the TV or read the online headlines, we may feel less and less that our efforts to fight the evil in this world are making a dent in the side of human depravity. We may also face opposition in our own homes whenever we attempt to limit our family’s exposure to inappropriate TV programs, movies and music and teach our children that modesty and purity, though rare, are still required by God in this modern age. The decisions we face may appear to be: a) keep quiet and maintain peace or b) speak up and be lumped in with the “haters” and activists or considered an outdated religious fanatic who lacks the intellectual depth to comprehend scientific “fact” or welcome diversity of religious beliefs.
To a Christian, the decision is much easier than choosing between peace and persecution if we understand peace as the Word intends. Although Paul wrote that we should keep peace with one another as far as it depends on us, he introduced this command from God with the words “if it is possible” (Romans 12:18). Peace does not mean keeping silent about the commandments of God. Some in the church believe that keeping the peace may sometimes mean overlooking sin or accepting a different interpretation of a specific command that God gives us in the Bible. “Peace at all costs” is a common phrase that some apply to matters of religion. Never in God’s Word are we commanded to keep the peace by remaining quiet about sinfulness and avoiding confrontation; in fact, the truth lies on the opposite plane from tolerance of sin.
Jesus’ words to the twelve apostles in Matthew 10:34 make it clear that “peace at all costs” was not His intent: "Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.” How can we justify the fact that the Prince of Peace came not to bring peace to the world but division? (Luke 12:51) In order to answer that question, we must compare man’s definition of peace to God’s definition. Humans may define peace very broadly, from the idea of “no religion” in John Lennon’s Imagine to the concept of all creatures living in unity on the earth (sometimes a misapplication of Isaiah 11). Merriam-Webster Online has five definitions of this one word ranging from a state of tranquility to a political pact to end war. Jesus did not come to this earth in order to ensure that we live without conflict among others; assuredly, man in his sinful state is in direct opposition to God’s holy nature. Jesus knew that His disciples would face persecution and that He himself would be killed by the very ones who He had created and would soon die to save. No, Jesus did not come to give his followers a rosy pathway absent of trials; instead, He came to save those who would follow Him and in so doing, they might make enemies of their friends and family who did not believe. This division was predicted of Christians who followed Jesus against the desires of their non-believing family members (Luke 12:52-53).
We see then that Jesus did not come to bring man’s idea of peace to the earth. God’s peace is not focused on a utopian society of physical happiness on the earth but is instead the result of a Christian’s absolute faith in God, resulting in a lack of anxiety that comes only to those who have a healthy prayer life with God the Father. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
Christ modeled both peace and the lack of peace based upon the situation. To those who followed Him, sick and hungry yet eager to hear His words, He was peace as He looked upon them with compassion; but to those who were unmerciful and full of pride, He was not peace. The peaceful Jesus who forgave a thief justly hung on a cross was the same Jesus who used a whip to clear out the moneychangers from the temple. He is also the same Lord who told the disciples to bless those who received the gospel and remove their blessing of peace for those who would not listen because God would punish them on the Day of Judgment (Matthew 10:12-15).
In like manner, we as Christian women must be willing to stand up for God’s Word, even if it means confrontation with those who choose to align themselves with sin. We must be bold when, by doing so, we are considered to be intolerant or hateful. If we speak the truth in love and are persecuted for it, we will be rewarded in Heaven (Matthew 5:11-12). John the Baptist’s refusal to stop speaking to Herod of his sinful relationship with Herodias (Matthew 14) and Stephen’s continued preaching to the crowd (Acts 7) led to their physical deaths but God’s reward was worth more to them than any amount of physical persecution. They were willing to stand up alone, save for God, and warn people of the consequences of their sins.
Further, we must be aware that the presence of peace does not necessarily constitute righteousness. As Paul warned the church at Thessalonica, “While people are saying, ‘Peace and safety,’ destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape” (I Thessalonians 5:3). We see that feeling peaceful and safe while at odds with the Lord will lead to our soul’s destruction when He returns. Peace is not a warm, fuzzy human feeling but a state of being in the right relationship with God and the comfort that comes from knowing that we are saved because we continually test our actions and beliefs against the Word of God (II Corinthians 13:5).
In conclusion, we return to the original question proposed in the heading of this devotional. Does Jesus teach us to keep the peace at all costs? The answer, very emphatically, is no. As we are taught in Hebrews 12:10-12, sometimes confrontation and discipline must come first before peace can take place: “Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” Likewise, James writes the order in which peace will be found: “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.” (James 3:17) Only after purity has been established can the peace then come.
To keep foremost in our thoughts that true peace cannot dwell where sin freely abounds, we should write upon our hearts the words of God through Isaiah the prophet: “There is no peace,” says my God, “for the wicked.” Isaiah 57:21
May God increase our efforts to make peace, embolden us to stand up against sin and grant us the wisdom to recognize when we should break the peace in order to restore righteousness. God bless each of you this day!
