Instruments Of God's Peace In The World

"Today's Devotion" For November 7, 2005

Read: I Thessalonians.4:1-12; Romans 12:9-21

INSTRUMENTS OF GOD'S PEACE IN THE WORLD

"If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." (Rom. 12:18)

The fighting is terrible. The casualty list is getting longer. Things are blowing up all over the place. It's hard to decide whether to stay and fight or to pull out. What's the right course of action?

The supposition might be that the above comments apply to Iraq. In some sense they do. Yet, if you really want to see a war, take a look at the Congress of the United States or even some of our statehouses. The issues related to going to war in Iraq, appointing Supreme Court Justices, the "outing" of a CIA operative, economic policies, taxes, business incentives, and a myriad of other political "battles" being waged between Republicans and Democrats, liberals and conservatives, moderates and everyone else, the "left wing" and the "right wing," and a host of special interest groups and big money contributors have given this nation the look of a "war zone." Certainly the very heart of a democratic republic, as the United States is, is the honest and straightforward debate about issues related to the welfare of its citizens. Yet vitriolic and disingenuous attacks seem to proliferate on all sides, each "side" seeking to be even meaner and nastier than the other. It's one thing to have healthy and open debate about the ethical, moral, and political principles by which the nation should be led; it's quite another to denigrate, lie, and otherwise take whatever course of action is deemed necessary to "get even" with the opposition.

Living at peace with others is really difficult. Knowing human nature, which Scripture calls "sinful," people tend to distrust the motives of others, especially if there's disagreement on certain principles of ethics and morality. One would hope that our elected representatives and lawmakers would have an honest regard for one another so that, despite differences of opinion, they might work together for the common good. Unfortunately, as one reads the newspapers, listens to newscasts, or pays attention to political discussions on television it becomes increasingly obvious that, rather than seeking common ground, our nation is staking out positions that can only divide us rather than unite us. For nations and peoples to be at peace with each other, some common ground has to be found. Some degree of trust has to be established. If that can't be done in our own state houses and Congress itself, how can we expect to make peace with other nations or lead other nations to peaceful resolutions of disagreements? If our elected leaders spend their time threatening one another and trying to destroy the "opposition," how can there be peace and prosperity for all? If, as a nation, we act this way toward each other, how is it possible for us to be peacemakers to the nations? In our daily living we run into people who rub us the wrong way. In the workplace we have those we'd just as soon avoid as much as possible. Things are no different in the political realm or the world landscape. Yet working to live at peace with others is of the greatest importance in our relationship with God.

God has established His peace with us through the salvation purchased for us by the blood of Christ. As His dearly beloved children, redeemed from Sin, Death, and Satan in Jesus Christ, our Father in heaven calls us to be true examples of what it means to live in peace with one another and with our neighbors. It doesn't make any difference whether others know the Lord or not, for God doesn't call on them to bring His peace to the world; He calls us to that task. As God's redeemed children, we live in this world as ambassadors and disciples of Jesus Christ. We don't live outside of the world, because God has put us here to be examples of what peace with Him is all about. By the power of His Word and Spirit, we are empowered to live at peace with our neighbors, regardless of race, creed, religion, or national origin. In our daily living we are empowered by God's Word and Spirit to be true instruments of peace - God's peace in Christ and peaceful living with our neighbors regardless of our differences. We are His instruments of peace in a troubled world, sharing His love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness in Jesus with everyone. And we are such instruments of peace because we are at peace with Him.

Prayer: Father, living at peace with others is not one of my strong suits. I often want "my way" with no regard for others. It seems those who lead the nation are too often focused on themselves and "getting the upper hand," that they forget their purpose is to lead the nation to live in peace among its citizens and with the nations of the world. I look around me and I don't just see the "battles" going on in the nation, but also the wars being fought among the nations of the world. It seems that the nations of the world are constantly at odds with each other. Regardless of the source of discontent, whether it's economic, religious, or political, long-term peace is a fleeting thing. Yet Your promise to the world is to bring it peace -Your peace, paid for by the blood of Jesus Christ. Help me to be an ambassador of that peace each and every day. Let my words and my actions reflect Your peace as I have received it in Jesus so that everyone I meet might be receive Your peace as well. Hear me gracious Father, in the name of Jesus. Amen.
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--Pastor Boeck

Copyright ©2005 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.