From the Middle East to Eastern Europe—and sadly, almost everywhere—violence runs rampant. Our devices stream outrage, a daily war of words. Pundits and self-appointed experts scream on social media. Our earth rages with ugly division, militant conflict, factious polarization, and political violence. There is little peace.
In stunning contrast, the announcement to shepherds at Jesus’ birth was wondrous. “And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men’” (Lk. 2:13-14 KJV).
Sky-high value for reconciled relationships and flourishing was central in Jesus’ heartbeat. Christ’s platform throughout his earthly ministry included a bold, next-level approach. Jesus taught: “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you” (Lk. 6:27-28).
King Jesus’ followers proactively work for peace. But how do we do this amidst such outrage?
Clashing Kingdom Values
We hear Christ’s words, smile and nod. Then deep inside we snark, “Yeah, yeah. Yada yada. Sounds like pie-in-the-sky, because our world is a dumpster fire.”
Yes, it’s true. In the wake of humanity’s fall, sin’s curse, and endless conflict, our world feels forever at war. The escalated level of rank evil and wicked injustice seem to readily necessitate retaliation.
But Jesus and the trajectory of sacred wisdom urge us to pause, ponder, and work anew for his peace-focused kingdom. We’re challenged to ask, “Must hitting back and escalating conflict always be our reaction? Should firing at enemies be our go-to posture?”
A Biblical Call to Peace Work
We are all trying to sort through the whirlwind. Global politicians air their blustery words amidst battles on multiple continents. News is filled with non-stop gun violence, horrific assassination attempts, divisive words between friends and family on social media, and hotly contested election results. Many of us are asking, “how do we craft better breaking news that sounds more like that angelic message of peace on earth?”
Ponder these biblical injunctions:
Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it (Ps. 34:14 NLT).
And work for the peace and prosperity of the city where I sent you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, for its welfare will determine your welfare (Jer. 29:7 NLT).
God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God (Matt. 5:9 NLT).
Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone . . . Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good (Rom. 12:18-21 NLT).
Are these commands applicable for both personal relationships and international affairs? Most certainly. But is a pie-in-the-sky, passive posture all God has in mind? Absolutely not. The core biblical idea behind peace is the robust, ancient Hebrew ideal of shalom. Christ’s peace is vitally related to the idea of actively working for human flourishing.
Richard Foster explains: “Shalom embodies the vision of a harmonious, all-inclusive community of loving persons. The great vision of shalom begins and ends our Bible . . . The messianic child to be born is the ‘Prince of Peace,’ and justice and righteousness and peace are to characterize his unending kingdom (Isa. 9:6-7). Central to the dream of shalom is the magnificent vision of all nations streaming to the mountain of the temple of God to be taught his ways and walk in his paths.”
Let’s hear King Jesus’ call for kingdom people—us, his church today—to move forward with two postures.
Stronger Collaboration
Rather than rushing to join sharp saber rattling, King Jesus’ followers can work to proactively communicate for positive change. In The Gospel Goes to Work, Stephen Graves affirms: “Collaboration can be a freeway system for the gospel to travel. Non-collaboration can be a disappointing dead end or stifling roadblock.”
Such collaboration begins with a highly personalized, one-person-at-a-time, heart-by-heart approach. Collaboration means we despise and dismantle our personal arrogance, laziness, and aversion to “others.” We more intentionally love people with different backgrounds, different skin colors, and a plethora of different cultural preferences. We host meals, join others for coffee, and intentionally respond to their active overtures for mutual togetherness. And we work with a second posture.
Strategic Innovation
Today’s kingdom leaders can strategically work to blend gospel proclamation and innovative community development. Such development aims for redemptive relationships leading toward economic growth and overall shalom that’s grounded in God’s saving grace (Eph. 2:8-10 ESV).
Globally and in nearby communities, such innovative work supplies a beautiful picture of counter-intuitive kindness (Rom. 12:20 ESV). Through creative discipleship groups, brighter business plans, and expanding social justice, Christ’s gospel helps more people experience greater flourishing—real peace with God and peace with one another!
Consider crafting Christ-honoring peace in these memorable ways:
- Pray and praise God—for his stronger, pro-life ways. Jesus’ kingdom values include both the pre-born and the war-weary. His gospel provokes us to love our enemies. We work for peace instead of punching back.
- Engage in healthy, empathetic listening. Aim for diplomatic conversation. We choose to use our ears and words instead of fists and fire power.
- Actively share surprising kindness, genuine love that works to reconcile.
- Care for enemies with creative imagination. Active love changes the atmosphere and cultivates people’s capacity to thrive.
- Encourage national and international leaders to passionately pursue every avenue of peace-making before engaging in retaliatory conflict.
Responding to Pilate, Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” (Jn. 18:36 ESV). Jesus repudiated the worldly, violent way to establish his kingdom. Instead, he chose the way of the cross.
Jesus raised humanity’s strategies for dealing with violence to a whole new level. Instead of reacting with knee-jerk retaliation, we craft peace with sacrificial love. King Jesus’ followers proactively work for peace.
