Peace I Leave
9 The things which ye both learned and received and heard and saw in me, these things do: and the God of peace shall be with you.”
Coming from here to there… Two things I’ve done so far this morning—No, there have been more than two things, but besides throwing myself out of my cozy warm bed and making my way, moaning and groaning, to the coffee pot and into the office I’m not admitting to anything else.
Being distracted by loud isn’t helpful. We have a lot of loud these days. I’ve noted that in talking to people such as my father-in-law and his generation when I asked about years gone by he could tell me specific information about specific years.
I often can’t remember what happened last year—sometimes last week. I wonder if we are that way because of the increasing loud that’s beating our drums.
Loud, such as a pandemic. Loud such as global weather concerns. Loud such as floods, fires, blackouts, and doom, despair, and agony… in a word drama.
Drama is everywhere, and we are bombarded by it. Life seems to go faster and faster with little to show for our efforts. As an aside, Christianity is the most persecuted religion in the world, so they say. Jesus says in Matthew 10:34 “Think not that I came to send peace on the earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.”
For a religion of peace that seems wrong, but how do we reconcile the two ideas of peace and a sword? The division comes with being different. Christians are called to be different from the world. As Jesus also says in Mark 9:50 “Salt is good: but if the salt have lost its saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace one with another.”
Christians are called to be not just different, but to be righteous. Being righteous (honestly righteous, not just holier than thou righteous) makes other people look like what they are. That could be good if they are good, but if they aren’t good it shows them to be who they are. Many people don’t like to look bad, so they take after the messenger. Hence the sword.
Christians should be peaceful with one another, and the paradox is that even in the midst of strife a Christian can and should have internal peace. “John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be fearful.”
“Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honorable, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
9 The things which ye both learned and received and heard and saw in me, these things do: and the God of peace shall be with you.”
