Defining Peace

July 4, 2010
Matthew 5:9
Blessed are the peacemakers . . .

Before moving on to verse 9, we looked at Isaiah 32:17-18. This passage says that righteousness leads to peace. This was written hundreds of years before Jesus talked about pure hearts (righteousness) and then encouraged us to make peace.

The class defined peace as absence of fear, as reconciliation, as being content and calm. Rather than "making" peace, it was suggested that Jesus's followers might be an influence for peace, or that they accept the peace of God rather than create the peace of God. The peace can be within each of us, or can describe our relationship with those around us, or can be offered to those who need it.

What specific steps can be taken to bring about peace?

• We can bite our tongues, holding back from stirring up more trouble.
• We can intervene when others are fighting. This may involve risk, humility, or sacrifice. And it may ask for compromise somewhere.
• We can generate dialog, either with those who oppose us or among those who disagree with each other.
• We can look for the "other side," trying to see the reasons behind others' actions.
• We can understand our own motives better.
• We can admit we're wrong and apologize for our own contributions to the dispute.
• We can look for "mutual purposes." Usually both sides have some commonalities. If these are stressed, then it may be possible to find ways to cooperate rather than to fight.
• We can be the first to look for reconciliation when there is conflict.
• We can treat others with respect, even if the differences seem "irreconcilable."
• We can help others to find peace within their own hearts as we share the good news, how God wants to transform each of us and to give us inner peace.

Peace should be more than just the absence of conflict. And an "uneasy peace" isn't really peace at all.

How responsible are we for the actions of others? We raised the issue of fair labor practices. If we buy from a company that is operating sweat shops, for instance, are we taking sides against those who are oppressed? Further discussion did point out that we may not have all the facts in many such cases. Finding the real source of conflict can help to make peace.

We left the discussion with a few more points that we can pursue next week:

• As important as peace is, Jesus Himself did point out (Matthew 10:34) that His primary purpose was not to "bring peace, but a sword." Perhaps there are some limits to how much peace can be attained in this fallen world.
• Can we actually make peace, in the sense of creating it?
• How many areas of life can be peaceful at once?
• Are there ways to make peace that aren't Christian?