How do we practice peacemaking?

Have you noticed how the modern political environment is filled with advocates for various agendas? These activists trickle down to even the local level as individuals seek to change the culture or government to better suit their vision.  We see this in the same-sex marriage push, attempts to change the Wall Street culture or many other political agendas.  While it has been a hallmark of the United States to trumpet the freedom of expression, increasingly that freedom pushes aside long standing norms and values.  While the period on the 1960’s was a radical time of change, the time we are a part of now is in many ways not very different.

While we would disagree with many of the agendas being fought over in this country, God has called us to be radicals in our own way.  God’s calling is a radical calling – a calling that puts us at odds with the promoted culture in the world around us and a calling that stands for values and character that build up and edify.  We can see this in the “simple” command from God for us to be peacemakers.  We are to be peacemakers not just in our congregations, but in our families and communities as well.  If you don’t think that is radical then simply observe how confrontational the world around us is.

How do we practice peacemaking then?  Is it simply giving up any personal preferences and letting others have their way in any circumstance?  Is it simply appeasing for the sake of avoiding confrontation?  In 1 Peter 3:11 (NKJV) we read, “…seek peace and pursue it.”  Throughout the scriptures God shows us that the things worth having (like peace) require effort and proper application to reap the blessings.  In verse 8 we are told to “be of one mind, having compassion for one another.”  Godly peace comes from considering others and caring for them.  In verse 9 Peter reminds us to “not return evil for evil” because it prevents blessings from God.  David understood this point of peace as he wrote in Psalm119:165, “great peace is to those who love your law.”

Being a peacemaker in this world is a radical calling because it involves being willing to stand up for God’s law and set the example of love.  While we cannot create peace in the world around us, we should be beacons of peace in our personal lives, or families and our reputations as God’s called out ones.  Being a peacemaker involves proper conflict resolution – that is seeking to be understood, not just to be right.  We must be willing to take the hit for following God’s law while not compromising His standards – and do it all without a hostile posture or in an offensive way.

Are you up for the challenge of being a radical example for God in an increasingly godless culture?  It is what God expects of us and what He seeks to find in us.  “Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless” (2 Peter 3:14, MKJV).