“If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all” Romans 12:18
In these days of tremendous conflicts and intellectual/spiritual civil war, it is difficult to find peace and agreement amongst ourselves. Whether in the USA or the world at large, we find ourselves living in a day of corruption, mistrust, and a fundamental battle between individual sovereignty and global governance.
Today we have the grand conflicts between left and right politics, capitalism versus socialism, rich and poor, and social justice lines being drawn between all ethnicities, creeds, and minorities. Beyond all these are the continual divides between religions and faiths. In light of all this, how is a person to remain civil and at peace with “all”? I think the key in the verse above is “so far as it depends on you”.
Just a few months ago before my return to faith in Christ, I was angry, militant in many ways, and would have told you that “peace” in these times was impossible. I had for decades read and written about the onslaught against the American constitution, republican democracy, and the decades of liberal socialism taking over the world governance and submissive minds of the masses who are willing to give up their freedoms and sovereignty in exchange for economic and personal security as well as peace. It seems people would exchange the risk of taking care of themselves for the security of knowing others will take care of them…even if it means giving up their rights and freedom. All of this obviously involves little or no faith in God or his provisions.
In the middle of these crazy times in our world, I have come back to faith and reading with an increased understanding of the Word of God for these times, The Bible. This understanding is quickly revolutionizing my attitude and approach to this world. I no longer think that peace is possible between forces of evil and good. “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” (Ephesians 6:12). This is not just a recent thing but has been happening for millenniums.
In my renewed understanding of these things, it is clear to me that while I am partisan and seeking justice and righteousness for that which is good, I am to remain peaceful personally and with an attitude of peace even with those who disagree or take an opposite position from mine. As Christians, we are to stand up for truth and righteousness and yet not judge or prosecute others in our own minds or attitudes. The Bible says to love our enemies and do good to those who persecute us. I don’t see this as meaning to take a pacifist position on the issues or think that “all ideas have merit”. I am to be convinced of what is righteous and to “put on the whole armor of God” to stand against the forces of spiritual darkness. Yet, I am to be civil and careful with my tongue and actions so as not to cause undue enmity with those I don’t agree with. In order to accomplish that, I try to stay on points and issues with those opposing me without making it a personal attack on them. In the flesh that is very difficult to do, but with God all things are possible even to my own self-control.
Being at peace does not mean we don’t defend ourselves or others against attacks. We aren’t meant to hold back truth against opposition or just be rolled over by corruption and lies. We are to be dutiful promoters of truth and righteousness as God calls and enables us to do so, yet we are not to be boastful, proud, or conceited in our approach to doing so with our fellowmen.
The other factor of personal peace we can have in these times is that “the battle is the Lord’s”. While many Christians seem to be quite militant and political about truth and righteousness, it is clear to me that God works through the minds and hearts of men through His spirit more than counting on our efforts, plans, or aggression towards those who are blindly following the darkness or evil. To that end, I am praying for whoever comes out as the ultimate winner of these current elections and believing that all outcomes are part of the will of God as He knows the end from the beginning and WILL have his way over time in this world. We are responsible to act and be what God tells us to be through his Word, but we are not responsible for the results or try to force God’s hand. He is still sovereign no matter what happens.
To that end, I identify with this well-known prayer of Saint Francis…
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.
O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Amen.