Scandalous Peace
By Alex Nichols
Matthew 5:9 -
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”
As we contemplate what a peacemaker is, we also need to consider what a peacemaker is not. To begin with, there is a vast difference between an individual that is a peacemaker and a peacekeeper. Often, those that seek to keep peace lean towards not actually wrestling with objective realities. Emotions often rule, lead, and twist what’s true into something that is quite the opposite. Another underlying issue is that most of the time our gaze is fixated on the wrong thing. Our minds focus on our own personal beliefs of what peacemaking looks like, instead of looking to our Creator and his word as we contemplate being peacemakers. Those that strive to keep peace regularly may have good intentions, but the problem is that the intentions are rooted in sin laced selfishness.
Individuals that strive to keep the peace may frequently do so to protect themselves, flee from conflict altogether, support and advocate for every individual’s subjective realities so as not to rock the boat, or constantly ignore the elephants in the room because they’re convinced it’s easier. The problem that we need to understand is that peacekeeping is often not submitted to God’s will and God’s ways which is vital because he is the “God of Peace” (Hebrews 13:20). Instead, our efforts to keep the peace are rooted in our finite and broken understanding of what peace truly is. The outcome of our efforts is much like an individual that has been shot and refuses to deal with the objective reality that they are both wounded and will die if the bullet is not removed and the wound treated. Our will and way lead to strife, division, bitterness, and deep-rooted brokenness as we, “make peace.”
As the church, we must consider what it means to be blood-bought peacemakers in light of what is going on in our nation. Peacemakers are blood-bought men and women of the Prince of Peace, that aim to make peace in their everyday lives with God’s will, God’s way, through the gospel of Jesus Christ. Peacemakers understand and realize that since Genesis 3 we have only done spectacularly well at causing division, fear, and the opposite of peace. Peacemakers embrace conflict when it arises, embrace the mess and enter into a seemingly uncomfortable and undesirable circumstance. They do it with meekness, self-control, gentleness, and also do not withhold the truth. Peacemakers don’t berate from a self-righteous, subjective point of view, but from and with the will and way of King Jesus in mind. Jesus, the true peacemaker, lovingly challenged an unjust status-quo.
Unfortunately, we often struggle to juggle both peace and truth. We’ll throw out what is true for the mirage of what we think peace is, therefore, causing a rift between ourselves and others, and ourselves to God. Hebrews 12:14 says, “Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.” Peacemakers strive for peace (rooted in the gospel), operating out of the holiness that alone is Jesus, so that individuals may know and see who Jesus is. Thomas Watson in his book, The Beatitudes puts it this way, “We must not purchase peace with the loss of holiness.” It’s nonsensical, to throw away that which makes us holy and right with God for the illusion of peace. Furthermore, it would be foolish to throw away the truth that makes us sons and daughters of God for the illusion of peace as well.
James 1:19-20 is very clear in stating, “Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” When was the last time you truly listened to someone speak, on a controversial topic or one that brings great tension, with the purpose of simply understanding them? Our goal more often than not is to argue, debate, and be proved right, where there is wrong. As our nation rages with competing world-views and solutions, Christians should be modeling what it means to be quick to listen. To be clear, this is not a call to be silent, but to consider how the church engages with the hurting African American community as they cry out and share their disgust and disdain (as should we all). May we be peacemakers that don’t throw away truth for peace, but instead share both as we listen with concerned ears and hurting hearts alongside our broken nation.
Jesus says in John 8:44, “You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” By nature, we are not peacemakers, but rather we are intrinsically wired to lie, cause division, pass blame, and run from ownership. We speak a subjective truth that alienates and makes us enemies of God (Romans 5:10). We, much like Adam and Eve in the garden, hide and run from true peace as we foolishly attempt to sweep both our problems and sin under the rug. Thankfully, God the Father desired to make peace with us, and reconcile us to himself. This is the defining difference between peacemakers and peacekeepers.
Peacemakers have been changed by the reconciling life, death, and resurrection of King Jesus. Peace has been made and our relationship with God the Father has been restored when we accept Christ as Lord and savior. Paul speaking of Christ in Colossians 1:19 says, “For in him the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of the cross.” Jesus died to make true peace and reconciliation between both God and man, and from one man to another. In other words, when we receive Jesus as our savior, “…we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1). We should marvel in the reality that in order for us to have and experience eternal and relationally bound peace with God the Father, Jesus had to experience the opposite on our behalf. When we truly understand the gospel, we see more and more the unconditional kindness and love of our Father in heaven, but also the magnificent and scandalous peace that King Jesus offers.