A Community of Faith - part 19
Our God of Peace
In 1914, at the beginnings of World War I, Pope Benedict XV suggested a hiatus of the war in order for countries to celebrate Christmas. The nations’ leaders, of course, could not come to any cease-fire agreement. The war raged on through December.
Then, on Christmas Eve, something truly bizarre happened. The sounds of rifles and tanks faded away. Quietness settled on the battle fields. Then, slowly, one by one, the sounds of Christmas carols grew among the trenches. Soldiers on both sides began singing with one another. At one point, Allied soldiers recalled, they started hearing brass bands joining in the German choruses. The sound of war turned into the sounds of Christmas.
On Christmas Day, some German soldiers emerged and approached the Allied lines across no-man’s land. They called out “Merry Christmas!” in English. The Allies saw the Germans unarmed and met them in the forsaken region where death was certain not two days before. The men exchanged presents of cigarettes and plum puddings. They sang carols, and some trenches were even decorated with Christmas trees. There even was a documented case of soldiers on opposing sides playing soccer.
As bizarre as this story sounds, it is 100% true. It is a phenomenon that has not been repeated since. It is the last example of chivalry in war we have in human history.
Though the nations’ leaders could not put aside their differences and agendas for just one day of peace, the soldiers on the ground took matters into their hands and extended peace. How could this be? Why would they disobey orders to offer a hand of peace to their enemies? How could they go from “ready to kill” to “ready to sing” in the matter of hours?
The answer is found in the story of Christmas.
Jesus came to establish peace between God and Man, and when we surrender to Him, we also will seek peace with our fellow humans.
Today, we are looking at XVI. Peace and War in the Baptist Faith & Message, and even more importantly how we can achieve peace with our fellow humans when we turn to Jesus Christ.
The Goal of Peace
It is the duty of Christians to seek peace with all men on principles of righteousness. In accordance with the spirit and teachings of Christ they should do all in their power to put an end to war.
XVI. Peace and War
It is the duty of the Christian to seek peace with all men. This duty flows naturally from the work of Christ. It is the goal of Christ to achieve peace in the world. You may recall in past sermons, we discussed how peace is the actual thing and war/conflict is the absence of the actual. Just like cold is really only the absence of heat, darkness is the absence of light, so too, war is merely the absence of peace.
In 1914, when those soldiers crossed enemy lines to share Christmas, they did so, not because they removed war from their midsts, but because they remembered the peace that Jesus brings. Because they knew and received the peace Jesus brings, they could extend that peace to their enemies…even if only for the holiday.
Isaiah 2:4 prophesies the time of peace God is working toward through the Gospel.
He shall judge between the nations, and shall decide disputes for many peoples; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.
Isaiah 2:4
There is coming a Day when nations will put down their weapons of war, and turn them into tools for building civilization. They won’t even learn how to war anymore because the Lord will settle their disputes.
When Jesus arrived, the angels in heaven sang to the shepherds in celebration.
“Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”Luke 2:14
Jesus came to inaugurate peace among humanity.
It is a point worth making twice. In our age of skepticism, polarization, and general acts of violence and hostility toward our fellow humans, Christians must keep in the forefront of their minds Jesus came to bring peace. And if Jesus is in the business of bringing peace, then we also must be about the business of peace.
Jesus says it this way in Matthew 5:
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
Matthew 5:9
The sons and daughters of God are peacemakers.
How can we bring peace to those around us?
The Gospel brings Peace
The true remedy for the war spirit is the gospel of our Lord. The supreme need of the world is the acceptance of His teachings in all the affairs of men and nations, and the practical application of His law of love. Christian people throughout the world should pray for the reign of the Prince of Peace.
XVI. Peace and War
The only true remedy for war is the gospel of Jesus Christ. Notice, the BFM states “the practical application of His law of love.” When we, as Christians, demonstrate how the law of love can bring peace, then the world will see the truth of the Gospel.
What is a practical application? Stay in Matthew 5, but look down at verse 38.
“You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I tell you, don’t resist an evildoer. On the contrary, if anyone slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. As for the one who wants to sue you and take away your shirt, let him have your coat as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to the one who asks you, and don’t turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
Matthew 5:38-42
This passage demonstrates the counter-intuitive nature of God’s love. It is a hard passage for all of us, and quite frankly, it’s one I dreaded when teaching youth. I always get the same responses. “What about bullies? What if they won’t leave you alone? Am I really supposed to let them keep hitting me? If someone steals from me, I’m supposed to give them more?”
There is certainly wisdom in thinking about individual situations individually, but the general principle is “YES”. Continue to do good to others regardless how they treat you.
Jesus explains even further.
You have heard that it was said, Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven. For He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward will you have? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what are you doing out of the ordinary? Don’t even the Gentiles do the same? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Matthew 5:43-48
Look closely at these last verses. Jesus’ call toward loving your enemies is not based on some bizarre philosophy or being a doormat. It is based not the nature of God. God sends the sun on the good and the evil. He sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
The strength to love our enemies only comes when we are in fellowship with the Lord.
See also, Jesus asks a simple but profound question. “For if you love those who love you, what reward will you have? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what are you doing out of the ordinary?”
If we only love those who love us back, how is that any different from anyone else in this world?
We can’t keep doing the same things as this broken world and expect to get different results.
If we love like the world loves, we will be like the world. But if we love like Jesus loves, then we will be like Jesus.
That last line brings home the point. Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect. The call for the Christian is to be like their Heavenly Father. If that priority is first, then everything else will eventually fall into place.
Jesus said it this way in Matthew 6:
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Matthew 6:33
Now, there is one last response I always hear. And that’s one that is truly honest. It is something to the effect of “That’s too hard.”
And I always say the same thing. “I know.”
Paul has wonderful advice for us.
If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”
Romans 12:18-19
I love how he adds two qualifiers here—“if possible” and “so far as it depends on you.” In other words, Paul is saying, “Just do the best you can.” We may not achieve complete peace this side of heaven, but Christian, do the best you can.
Specific applications to the call for peace may look a little different from one another, but they all boil down to these two principles:
Do the best you can to be at peace with everyone.
Leave the rest to God.
And isn’t that really Christian maturity in a nutshell? “Do the best you can, and leave the rest to God.”
As we close, the invitation is simply this: Have you surrendered to Jesus for peace? Doing the best you can first begins with surrendering your will to Christ’s. Without Him, nothing will work.
If you have turned to Him for forgiveness and eternal life, then do your absolute best to be at peace. Forgive those who need forgiving. Ask for forgiveness from those you have hurt. Do your best to make amends. Then, leave the rest to God. Whatever you can do, do it. Leave everything else in God’s hands. Then, you will find peace.