Peace Making--
Past, Present and Future
Blessed
are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.—Matthew 5:9
Homer
Montague
From the time of Adam’s
fall in Eden, the human race lost the peace and security that were his when perfect. After
the work of the sixth creative day was complete we read: “And God saw every
thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning
were the sixth day” (Genesis 1:31). Thus all was at peace and fully in harmony with
the heavenly Father’s arrangements for mankind to replenish and subdue the earth, thereby extending the Edenic
paradise throughout the entire planet.
How different conditions
became for the first pair after disobeying God’s command not to partake of the
forbidden fruit. As a way of enforcing the death penalty, Adam and Eve were driven from
paradise into an unfinished part of the earth to labor by the sweat of their brows for
sustenance.
The well known narrative of
Cain slaying Abel (Genesis 4:8) is indicative that the peace which their parents once
enjoyed was a thing of the past and that all of the first pair’s progeny would indeed
be “children of wrath.”
Subsequently, the heavenly
Father selected the nation of Israel to illustrate in typical fashion the means of
extricating mankind from inherited sinful conditions to restoration to divine favor. The
Israelites were instructed to offer sacrifices such as sin offerings to obtain atonement.
Since the blood of bulls and goats could never actually take away sin, these sacrifices
pointed to the reality when Christ Jesus would give his own perfect human life as a ransom
for all, thereby opening a new and living way so mankind ultimately would have an
opportunity to have a peaceful and perfect relationship with the Creator (Hebrews 10:1-4).
Despite Israel’s
repeated unfaithfulness, the nation maintained a special standing with the heavenly Father
whose providences continued with them until they were cast off from special favor because
they rejected Jesus as their Messiah. Their unique position and relationship were
emphasized by God in words recorded in Amos: “You only have I known of all the
families of the earth: therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities” (Amos
3:2).
Examples
of Peacemakers
Until mankind is brought
back to full perfection as a result of the atoning work of Christ, no fallen individual
can attain peace in the fullest sense. Nevertheless, there were various Old Testament
characters who tried by their actions to serve as peacemakers in an attempt to reconcile
situations involving conflict. Three individuals who initiated actions of this nature were
Abraham, Isaac, and Jonathan.
Genesis 13:5-13 records an
incident involving strife between the herdsmen of Abraham and Lot because the pastureland
in question did not appear to be of sufficient size to support their mutual needs. Abraham
was both peaceful and
generous in dealing with his nephew Lot and he desired to have no quarrel with
one of his kindred. He suggested that they separate and asked Lot to choose which portion
of land he desired and he, Abraham, would take the other section. In our own attempts
to live in peace when dealing with others, we can frequently yield our own rights
to good advantage, especially concerning temporal arrangements. Only when a matter of
principle is involved should we press a particular point.
Abraham’s son, Isaac,
also demonstrated his willingness to initiate a peaceful solution. We read that Isaac had
become very wealthy in Gerar and King Abimelech asked him to leave where he was living.
Isaac then moved a short distance away but the Philistines had stopped up the wells, which
Abraham previously had dug. Isaac cleaned out the wells and twice more strife ensued with
the Philistines concerning the ownership of the wells. Each time Isaac yielded and moved
to a new location. Finally, in Beersheba he built an altar, pitched a tent and dug yet
another well. King Abimelech subsequently visited Isaac who made a feast for him and
they agreed to live in peace. Isaac’s attitude and handling of the situation in an
amicable manner merits our attention as an example of living peaceably with all wherever
possible (Genesis 26:12-30).
Another situation involved
Jonathan and his father,
King Saul. David’s popularity had risen to such a degree that Saul became
envious and sought to kill him. Although David ultimately became a fugitive throughout
Saul’s reign, Jonathan was successful in changing his father’s attitude at least
for brief periods of time (1 Samuel 19:4-7). Although this condition did not last,
Jonathan demonstrated nobility of character by seeking to modify Saul’s actions
against David.
Jonathan’s attempts at securing a peaceful solution even though not
permanently successful, gave evidence that he appreciated the importance of the
reconciliation process.
Training
for Peacemaking
During this Gospel age
consecrated, spirit-begotten followers of Christ are being prepared to aid in reconciling
mankind back to God. The promised peace, which the Master left as a legacy for the church,
should inspire all believers to faithful obedience and zealous activity in his service,
especially with the prospect of being united in glory with Christ in the grand work of
restoration during the Millennial kingdom (Isaiah 35).
How can we as believers
claim the promise, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on
thee: because he trusteth in thee” (Isaiah 26:3)? One of the most important ways is
to improve our prayer life. This will assist us in accepting all our experiences whether
painful to the flesh or not as being under divine supervision. What comforting assurances
we receive when we demonstrate fervency in this area and cast all our burdens on the Lord.
When the Master was going through his Gethsemane experience, and throughout his entire
ministry, his close communion with God undoubtedly enabled him to faithfully endure all
contradiction of sinners. Our Redeemer is no less solicitous of the interests of the
church and will succor and sustain us if we do our part.
Another means of sustaining
peace in our lives is by meditating upon the Scriptures and applying them to ourselves. We
read, “Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by
these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in
the world through lust” (2 Peter 1:4). Much was written about the heroism of the New
York City firefighters who risked and gave their lives trying to save individuals trapped
in the World Trade Center. They were moved by a sense of duty, compassion, and
fearlessness, seeking no reward for their efforts. How much more should we have a sense of
peace in our lives each day, knowing the heavenly Father desires us to be a part of his
divine family? The fact that we have been called to receive glory, honor, and
immortality and to share his very nature should give us extraordinary comfort. God provides the
necessary grace and his holy spirit to assist us in being victorious if we submit
to the righteous influences provided in our lives.
A
Five-Step Program
Sometimes brethren
experience difficulties involving others and they seek counsel to help them address issues
which trouble them. How can we serve as peacemakers in such instances? It might
prove useful to follow a five-step program: practice sympathetic listening, give
assurances of God’s love, discuss options for action, be available for follow-up
support, and guard confidentiality.
Listening: A cardinal
requirement to be an effective peacemaker is the need for careful listening to discern
specifically why someone is distressed. This requires an attitude of compassion and
attentiveness to create the proper atmosphere for the person to feel we can be of
assistance. We should not offer quick solutions because ultimately the person must take
sole ownership for a future course of action. We would do well to heed the
admonition, “Wherefore my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear,
slow to speak” (James 1:19).
Assurance of Divine Care:
Once we have listened to the concerns it would be appropriate to offer assurance of
God’s love as well as his many overruling providences in our lives. When we are
approached for counsel and comfort, it is likely to be at a time when the person’s
own efforts in seeking assistance at the throne of grace or from meditating upon
God’s word have not yielded the desired quietness of soul. At such times we can be
supportive by calling attention to such Scriptures as, “Let your conversation be
without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will
never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5); and “Casting all your care
upon him; for he careth for you” (1 Peter 5:7).
Exploring Options: Rarely
does one particular approach provide the solution for someone who is troubled. Usually a
variety of options should be considered depending upon the circumstances. As a
peacemaker we should inquire what the person would like to see as a desired outcome
regarding the situation. By asking questions we can help others determine what is likely
to be God’s will in the matter. Other ways to help include encouraging the person to
seek the brethren’s prayers, discuss how the use of the principles in Matthew 18
might help to resolve the matter, role play to provide confidence in his own ability to
address the problem, and suggest how a trial may be used by the Lord to help him assist
others with similar problems in the future.
Follow-up Support:
When one assumes the role of being a comforter to brethren in distress, time and follow-up
efforts are usually needed to provide effective assistance. Jacob wrestled all night with
an angel before receiving the desired blessing. Likewise if we wish to provide solace and
support, we should not become weary in well doing. We read, “A man that hath
friends must show himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a
brother” (Proverbs 18:24). Before the work of a peacemaker ends there may be the need
to pray together, cry together, or just be available to listen or give a sympathetic
embrace to lift the spirit.
Confidentiality: A
true peacemaker will never violate a confidence. When entering into a position of trust,
we must guard against any inclination
to discuss private matters which have been shared with us. To do otherwise could
have tremendously harmful implications to the one who already may be in a
fragile state. Additionally, it may encourage busybodying, evil speaking, anger,
and other works of the flesh which are detrimental to the development of the new creature.
Peacemakers may never speak to the detriment of others for it is written, “He that
goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that
flattereth with his lips” (Proverbs 20:19).
During the Gospel age, the
followers of Christ have
been learning lessons that will equip them to help restore the peaceful conditions
which existed in Eden before sin entered the world. Presently we are living at a
transitional time between the ages: “Seeing then that all these things shall be
dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and
godliness. Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a
new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness” (2 Peter 3:11,13).
The Final
Peace
When righteousness is
established, peace will exist. Then it will not be said, “There is no peace, saith
the LORD, unto the wicked” (Isaiah
48:22). This present evil order will end with the glorification of the church and Satan
will be restrained so he can not deceive the nations (Revelation 20:2,3). It will be a
time when war and conflicts that have existed for more than six thousand years will be at
an end as it is prophesied, “They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and
their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither
shall they learn war any more” (Micah 4:3).
Under
the leadership of Messiah, the church will assist in ruling
mankind with a rod of iron (Revelation 2:27) so that the conditions for peaceful
acquiescence to the kingdom of righteousness can be enforced. The Scriptures indicate the
spirit and the bride will invite all the willing of humanity to partake of the water of
life (Revelation 22:17) and proceed up the highway of holiness. Unlike today when there is
no peace, conditions in the earth during the Millennial reign of Christ will be such that,
“They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full
of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters
cover the sea” (Isaiah 11:9).
The prospect of helping
mankind attain peace during the kingdom is so inspiring that each spirit-begotten child of
God should now be willing to pay the full cost of discipleship required to effect the
complete reconciliation of humanity back to God under the leadership of Christ Jesus, the
Prince of Peace.