The history of man is replete with the strong taking from the weak, with everyone looking after himself and failing to be his brother’s keeper. Cain killed Abel and mankind has followed that pattern ever since. James chapter 4 shows that wars come from our lusts and wrong desires. God inspired the prophet Isaiah to write, “The way of peace they have not known” (Isaiah 59:8), and Paul repeated this statement in Romans 3:17. It is a universal principle that applies to all nations.
Waging war is costly and destructive, as the Encarta Online Encyclopedia records concerning World War II. “World War II basic statistics qualify it as by far the greatest war in history in terms of human and material resources expended. In all, 61 countries with 1.7 billion people, three-fourths of the world’s population, took part. A total of 110 million persons were mobilized for military service…. In terms of money spent, it has been put at more than $1 trillion. The human cost, not including more than 5 million Jews killed in the Holocaust…is estimated to have been 55 million dead—25 million of those military and 30 million civilian….”
Most people don’t realize we actually have to wage peace to have peace, and that waging peace is more challenging than waging war. Each of us has a commission to become peacemakers. Peace is a fruit of the Holy Spirit, and part of God’s nature. Matthew 5:9 states, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” Psalm 34:14 tells us: “Depart from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.”
The Apostle Paul also places an emphasis on seeking peace in Ephesians 4:1-3. “I…beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” The word ‘endeavoring’ is key in these verses. In Greek it means, “to exert oneself, to give diligence,” and is translated in some modern translations as: “Making every effort” (Modern English Bible), “spare no effort” (New English Bible), “make it your aim” (Phillips) and “do all you can” (Jerusalem Bible).
Christ is called the ‘Prince of Peace’ in Isaiah 9:6-7: “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end….“
Isaiah 53:4-5 tells us why Christ is the Prince of Peace: “Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.” Jesus was prepared to pay the price for peace and made it possible for us to be reconciled to the Father (be at peace with God) and to learn to live in peace with our neighbor. He set us an example that we should strive to follow.
War has a price, but peace also has a price. It involves our willingness to take an undeserved loss. This is repugnant to human nature, which is focussed on the self and our wants and desires. Notice the scriptural examples dealing with taking a loss for the sake of peace. In 1 Corinthians 6:6 Paul tells of members willing to go to any length in order to get what they wanted. “But brother goes to law against brother, and that before the unbelievers!” Notice Paul’s admonition for a peaceful settlement in verse 7, “Now therefore, it is already an utter failure for you that you go to law against one another. Why do you not rather accept wrong? Why do you not rather let yourselves be cheated?“
Christ had the rights and privileges of God before His human birth. He had coexisted with the Father for eternity, but He did not cling to the privileges of God. He was willing to take a loss because of His love for us. Notice Paul’s inspired words in Philippians 2:5-7 “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.”
Notice Paul’s admonition in Colossians 3:12-13. “Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.” We are admonished to bear with one another and forgive one another. Continuing on in verses 14 and 15, “But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.”
It is human nature to repay evil to those we may regard as our enemies and make us suffer loss, but notice what Christ said in Matthew 5:43-45: “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven….” Christ explains we are to have concern and love for our enemies, and do good to them.
When Jesus Christ returns He will bring peace to all people. Once the Kingdom of God is established on earth there will be no end to peace, which will be implemented with judgment and justice.
