In a world where real and lasting peace seems to be evading us, God has pronounced a blessing on those who make deliberate, and well-directed efforts to foster peace, when achieved along the godly lines and principles, as outlined in His word. Christ, who is described as The Prince of peace, gave us several examples of what we should do, when faced with volatile situations, especially when our own rights have been violated. The natural response of the human heart is to protect or fight for our rights.
And while it is true that we should never volunteer to become door mats, yet, if in our efforts to reach a peaceful agreement, it becomes necessary for us to surrender our rights, without disobeying Christ, then so let it be. It is not so much our rights that we
are to fight for, but rather God’s right to our service. When as Christians we may be wronged, or treated unfairly, we are to make efforts at reconciliation, and if in the process we may suffer loss, then the teaching of Christ is that we should leave the results with God, for we are in His hands. This fundamental truth about peacemaking efforts is conceptualized in the teachings of Christ, as He dwelt on the issue in the sermon on the mount. Let’s read:
Matthew 5:39 But I say unto you, that ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also.
41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.
42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.
43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt
love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?
48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
However, as was stated before, there are guiding principles and spiritual laws which must at all times be incorporated into any effort at peace-making, for
in all things, the will of God, as revealed in His word must be consulted. The following therefore are just some of the fundamentals that are to be observed when seeking to make peace.
[1] The truth plays a pivotal role in the process of reconciliation, because lasting peace cannot be built upon the shifting foundations of falsehoods. Thus, it is of critical importance to have all the facts, and to review them in an objective, unbiased manner. This guiding principle goes a long way in bringing about peaceful resolutions to difficulties or conflicts, for as Christians, we are to always deal in the currency of heaven, even the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth.
John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
18 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.
19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.
John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth”…
John 8:31 Then said Jesus to those which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
This leads us to our second principle in our efforts at peacemaking:
[2] Every story has two sides, and therefore, it is imperative that a person listen objectively to both accounts before rushing to judgment. Emotionally charged decisions and hasty responses are often made when only one side of a story is heard. In addition, most people will present their side of a story in a manner that will justify themselves. It’s very rare that a person will confess to being the culprit in any given situation, when presenting their own side of a story. Let’s read:
Proverbs 18:13 He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.
Daniel 3:8 Wherefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near, and accused the Jews.
13 Then Nebuchadnezzar”… commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Then they brought these men before the king.
14 Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them, Is it true?
John 7:50 Nicodemus saith unto them”…
51 Doth our law judge any man, before it hear him, and know what he doeth?
[3] Lasting peace can never be purchased through a compromise of truth or principle. One of the main contributing factors to the moral decay of society is the practice of compromising truth and principle in order to reach a majority, consensus opinion, with those who refuse to give up sin. This is why so many pulpits across the land are now pregnant with false doctrines, specifically designed to suit itching ears. When truth becomes distasteful to the multitudes, the clergy often bends to the wishes and clamors of the majority, and so, instead of making peace, social unrest, adversity, and turmoil will be the inevitable results. Let’s read:
Genesis 34:1 And Dinah the daughter of Leah, which she bare unto Jacob, went out to see the daughters of the land. 2 And when Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, prince of the country, saw her, he took her, and lay with her, and defiled her.
3 And his soul clave unto Dinah the daughter of Jacob, and he loved the damsel, and spake kindly unto the damsel.
7 And the sons of Jacob came out of the field when they heard it: and the men were grieved, and they were very wroth, because he had wrought folly in Israel in lying with Jacob's daughter: which thing ought not to be done.
8 And Hamor communed with them, saying, The soul of my son Shechem longeth for your daughter: I pray you give her him to wife.
9 And make ye marriages with us, and give your daughters unto us, and take our daughters unto you.
10 And ye shall dwell with us: and the land shall be before you; dwell and trade ye therein, and get you possessions therein.
14 And they said unto them, We cannot do this thing, to give our sister to one that is uncircumcised; for that were a reproach unto us.
[The Desire Of Ages pp. 356] The servants of Christ should beware lest, in seeking to prevent discord, they surrender the truth. They are to “follow after the things which make for peace” but real peace can never be secured by compromising principle. And no man can be true to principle without exciting opposition.
[4] God is depending on the one who is in the truth to initialize the process of peace-making. The one who is in the wrong does not usually seek for any reconciliation, and therefore, the true Christian is to take the first steps in resolving difficulties, just as Jesus did. Pride often stands in the way of humility, and some may become disturbed at the prospect of seeking out the one who is at fault. But this is what Christ did in Eden when Adam and eve sinned, and
so should we when anyone has sinned against us. Let’s read:
Matthew 5:23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;
24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
[5] Those seeking to make peace should be willing to cheerfully bear the full brunt of the cost of peace whether the cost be in damage done by gossiped words that caused wounds, or in monetary losses, as the case might be. Too many times we are dead focused on the issue of restitution, and fairness, so that the lines between forgiveness and restoration become pretty blurred. To seek for a very strict form of justice when dealing with offences against ourselves is contrary to the teachings of the Bible, where the principle of mercy bears sway. This does not mean that we are to become insensitive to all justice, it just means that we are to prefer mercy, just as Christ does. Let’s read:
Matthew 5:38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.
These words are lifted from the old Testament, and represent a very strict form of justice. But the true Christian will not become obsessed with justice as much as with mercy, because God’s salvation used justice as a vehicle to carry mercy to millions. The cross is not only about strict justice, it’s much more about mercy to those who do not deserve it, for if it is closely investigated, we will observe that there’s a whole lot of injustice that took place at the cross in accomplishing our redemption. Let’s read:
Galatians 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
19 Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him;
20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.
[Testimonies 5:168>169] The heart in which love rules will not be filled with passion or revenge, by injuries which pride and self-love would deem unbearable. Love is unsuspecting, ever placing the most favorable construction upon the motives and acts of others. Love will never needlessly expose the faults of others. It does not listen eagerly to unfavorable reports, but rather seeks to bring to mind some good qualities of the one defamed. Love not only bears with others’ faults, but cheerfully submits to whatever suffering or inconvenience such forbearance makes necessary. This love “never faileth.” It can never lose its value; it is the attribute of heaven. As a precious treasure it will be carried by its possessor through the portals of the city of God.
[6] When seeking to make peace, it is of the utmost importance that our demeanor, and our speech do not come across in angry tones, for this will only add fuel to the flames that have already been kindled. Sheep must not become wolves by their interaction with wolves. We are counseled to remain distinctly sheep, and also to behave like sheep under all circumstances, and in all places. Let’s read:
Matthew 10:16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
Luke 9:51 And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he steadfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem,
52 And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him.
53 And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem.
54 And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?
55 But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.
56 For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.
[The Desire Of Ages pp. 353>354] The servants of Christ are not to act out the dictates of the natural heart. They need to have close communion with God, lest, under provocation, self rise up, and they pour forth a torrent of words that are unbefitting, that are not as dew or the still showers that refresh the withering plants. This is what Satan wants them to do; for these are his methods. But God's servants are to be representatives of Him. He desires them to deal only in the currency of heaven, the truth that bears His own image and superscription. And the spirit that is kept gentle under provocation will speak more effectively in favor of the truth than will any argument, however forcible.
Thus, for our case study we will revisit a well-known incident which occurred many years ago. Two women have been arguing for some time over a baby, and the heated dispute then reaches a boiling point, so that the matter is brought before King Solomon for redress. Let’s read:
1st Kings 3:16 Then came there two women, that were harlots, unto the king, and stood before him.
17 And the one woman said, O my lord, I and this woman dwell in one house; and I was delivered of a child with her in the house.
Since they were living in the same house, the first accuser must have known the other’s first name. One of the sure signs that alienation has begun to set in, is when we try to avoid calling a person by their proper name, but instead refer to them in generic terms such as “This man, or this woman”.
1st Kings 3:18 And it came to pass the third day after that I was delivered, that this woman was delivered also: and we were together; there was no stranger with us in the house, save we two in the house.
19 And this woman's child died in the night; because she overlaid it.
20 And she arose at midnight, and took my son from beside me, while thine handmaid slept, and laid it in her bosom, and laid her dead child in my bosom.
21 And when I rose in the morning to give my child suck, behold, it was dead: but when I had considered it in the morning, behold, it was not my son, which I did bear.
22 And the other woman said, Nay; but the living is my son, and the dead is thy son. And this said, No; but the dead is thy son, and the living is my son. Thus they spake before the king.
23 Then said the king, The one saith, This is my son that liveth, and thy son is the dead: and the other saith, Nay; but thy son is the dead, and my son is the living.
24 And the king said, Bring me a sword. And they brought a sword before the king.
25 And the king said, Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one, and half to the other.
26 Then spake the woman whose the living child was unto the king, for her bowels yearned upon her son, and she said, O my lord, give her the living child, and in no wise slay it. But the other said, Let it be neither mine nor thine, but divide it.
27 Then the king answered and said, Give her the living child, and in no wise slay it: she is the mother thereof.
28 And all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had judged; and they feared the king: for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him, to do judgment.
In this incident, the real mother had decided to give up her rights, so that her son could live. Her action involved relinquishing her baby to her accuser, and it would have hurt her deeply had the culprit walked away with the child. At times, we ourselves may be placed in a similar predicament, where we may have to give up our dearest rights for the sake of peace. And we too may be hurting if we were to see the culprit walking away with our proverbial
“Child”. For instance, if we were summoned before the courts to address a financial matter, in which we were right, and the plaintiff was wrong, if the judge then rules in favor of the plaintiff, then our efforts to make peace will be tested severely, because making peace in such a situation will not only cost us financially, but then we are instructed by Christ to go looking for the person in an effort to bring about reconciliation. This is not an easy matter, and we do not naturally have it within ourselves to do such things, but we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. We therefore end with the following passage which encapsulates the principle of self-denial, involved in seeking after peace. Let’s read:
1st Peter 2:18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.
19 For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.
20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.
21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously.
May God add His blessing to the study and practice of His word.
God bless!