A Bible word search for peace pairs it with grace, mercy, righteousness and wisdom. Today, MacArthur points out that peace also is a partner of truth. That is, believing truth is important to inner peace. It is also important to being a peacemaker.
Peace is not merely the absence of conflict such as a truce or peace agreements. The hostilities may be averted but underlying issues are not solved. For one thing, the desire for power is not resolved. Also, the truce might hold but a cold war could still smolder.
The peace described in the NT is from God and His gifts are for those who put their faith in Him. Romans 3 describes the human condition without God by saying no one is righteous and no one seeks God or does good, not even one. This passage ends with:
Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness. Their feet are swift to shed blood; in their paths are ruin and misery, and the way of peace they have not known. There is no fear of God before their eyes. (Romans 3:14–18)
The contrast between the human idea of peace and God’s peace is expressed in the words of Jesus: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” (John 14:27)
Not only that, Christians clearly have a choice. We have this peace but can ‘let’ fear into our hearts. Paul told Timothy, “God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” (2 Timothy 1:7) We need to make the right choice, not let fear control our minds and actions.
James also wrote about the connection between the Lord’s gift of peace and godly wisdom:
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. (James 3:17–18)
His peace is different, but that does not mean Christians will never experience hostility. If we do as the Bible tells us, we will hold fast to the truths of God, and our stand for truth will make some people angry. Jesus knew this first hand. He even said “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.” (Matthew 10:34) Those who do not want to hear truth, particularly truth about their spiritual need, often react with hostility to the point of persecuting Christians. Sometime Christians resist truth as well. This means being a peacemaker can be costly.
I am not a true peacemaker if I try to maintain ‘peace’ with those who do not accept truth. MacArthur speaks of being called narrow-minded and divisive for dealing with controversial issues. He and other pastors and many Christians know what it is like to be misunderstood and attacked.
Jesus, You know it too, more than any of Your faithful servants. The cost can be high, even death, for defending our faith. I’m thinking of my own need to be faithful and a peacemaker . . . not someone who compromises to maintain peace, but who bring Your good news and Your truth to those who need to hear it, whether they will accept it or not. Being a peacemaker is evidence of being Your child, so grant me boldness to do it, and keep me burdened to pray for those who do not yet know Your peace and for those who suffer for their work as peacemakers.
MORE: Read Luke 12:51–53, noting how the gospel can bring division even among families. Also check out this LINK for prayer needs around the world for peacemakers who are suffering. The stories are hard to read but incredible examples of the cost of doing what God says.
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