I was listening to the news on the radio when a report came on about a person posting a version of the “ABC” song on the internet. The version he posted had the letters L-M-N-O-P stretched out instead of run together as we normally sing the song.
The result was a lot of negative comments and vitriol thrown at the man who posted the video.
And the funny (?) thing about it was that he merely posted the altered song. The man who actually sang it was interviewed for the story. He explained that he slowed down the letters in order to make them more understandable for his target audience. He uses his videos for educational purposes. Instead of appreciating his effort to make the alphabet a little easier to understand, he was instead receiving hate mail. In fact, the interviewer stated that she could not use the man’s last name because of the harsh, negative reaction to his version.
As I listened to the story, I marveled at what people find to be offensive. In a world where offensive actions and inactions take place that have a major impact on our society and our world, and these people go overboard over the “ABC” song.
Which leads me to realize that we live in a society where people are so easily offended that they seem almost to be looking to be offended. If I’m looking for a way to be offended, I’ll almost always find it, even if I have to twist things around to turn what should be inoffensive into an offending event.
Which then leads to the question that heads this piece. Is it becoming harder in our world to be a peacemaker?
Jesus Expects Us to Live at Peace
On the night when Jesus was betrayed, He gave His disciples last minute instructions in preparation for His leaving them. Found in John 13-17, the Upper Room Discourse is filled with solid advice and encouragement, as well as Jesus’ most in-depth instruction about the Holy Spirit. Twice in the discourse, Jesus mentions peace. “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your heart be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27) and “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).
In the Beatitudes, Jesus tells us, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God” (Matthew 5:9). Jesus then mentions in the end of the chapter that we are to turn the other cheek (5:38-42) and to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us (5:43-48). He also mentions seeking to reconcile with those we offend (cf. 5:23-26). With these declarations, we can see that Jesus intends for us to not only live at peace, but we are to make peace in our world.
Paul understands the need for peace in his writing to the Romans. “Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone” (Romans 12:17-18).
James writes, “But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness” (James 3:17-18).
It seems evident, then, that the Bible teaches the follower of Christ to be someone who seeks peace and works to bring peace into our world.
So How Do We Be a Peacemaker?
In all the passages we looked at from the Sermon on the Mount, Paul’s letter to the Romans and James’ letter, we find the answer to what it takes to be a peacemaker.
The first thing we need to do to be a peacemaker is not look to be offended. In fact, we should overlook wrongs done us. Paul, writing to the Colossians, said, “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity” (Colossians 3:12-14). Paul then goes on to talk about letting Christ’s peace rule in our hearts, being thankful and living in the Word (cf. vs. 15-17). It is this bearing with each other that is seen in Jesus’ command to turn the other cheek and to pray for our enemies. And, as Paul points out, living a life infused with God’s love is necessary.
Seek to resolve differences between each other and be a minister of reconciliation. Jesus’ comment to leave our gift at the altar and be reconciled to those we offend tells us that we need to recognize when we do wrong and seek to address the wrong. In Matthew 18, Jesus tells us to approach those who have wronged us and seek to reconcile that relationship. Paul stresses we are called to be reconcilers, just as God through Christ reconciled ourselves to Him.
The peacemaker is also the person who seeks to address all conflict in a way that is most agreeable to each party. Using God’s wisdom, we can seek to resolve issues that can be seen as a win-win for all parties involved.
Here it needs to be said that compromise is an important part of reconciliation and peacemaking, but compromise can only go so far. We can find compromise with almost everyone, but we must never compromise our beliefs and our convictions. By the same token, we must be careful not to use those same beliefs and convictions as an excuse to create division and animosity. Look at how Jesus dealt with the conflict that surrounded Him throughout His ministry. He never backed down from the Father’s words, but He also never sought to create a hostile atmosphere. Use Paul’s counsel to let our speech be seasoned with salt.
The peacemaker is the one who, once again, seeks to live out the Golden Rule in his or her life. The peacemaker is the one who is willing to go the second mile. The peacemaker doesn’t stand on rights or demand he be heard. Sometimes, a peacemaker needs to walk away and not cast his pearls before swine. If people aren’t willing to live in peace, there’s nothing we can do to make them do so. That’s why Paul wrote, “As much as it’s possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone” (Romans 12:18). There are times when peace cannot be made. Jesus’ instructions to His disciples when He sent them out to share the Gospel included these words: “If anyone does not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town” (Matthew 10:14).
Conclusion
There is nowhere in the Bible that it teaches us living the Christian life is easy. It’s a struggle; that’s why Jesus’ followers are called disciples. The Christian life is a discipline that requires a willingness to place ourselves at Christ’s disposal. We allow Him to live through us, and in so doing, we learn to become peacemakers.
Even though it may not be easy, it is expected of us, and God enables us to do His will. Recognizing that all people are worthy of God’s love, we can learn to express that love and, in so doing, become peacemakers.
Even in a world that wants to be offended, we can overcome, because “greater is He that is in us than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4).
© 2019 Glynn Beaty