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“I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:1-3.)
Introduction
It is said that ‘peace’ is the glue that holds a church together. Where there is no peace disharmony and conflict exist. It is good to be united, but it is false if peace does not reign in our hearts and between ourselves.
Peace Peace
The world is seeking peace by any means possible. Politicians speak of this need in society and internationally. Religious leaders set it up as the highest ideal amongst men. Pagans and philosophers dream about the fairy tale land of Utopia. Everyone knows that peace is achievable, but use the wrong means to achieve it. No wonder Jeremiah 8:11 tells us that the world will cry, “Peace, peace; when there is no peace.”
Our Heavenly Mandate
True, lasting and everlasting, peace can only be found in the Lord Jesus Christ. He alone is the Peacemaker – “The Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6.)
Not until they repent and turn from their wicked ways can mankind know peace.
In light of this, should believers be involved in campaigns to bring about world peace? It is not within the Christian’s Heavenly Mandate to try to bring about peace and harmony in the world, instead we must focus on the following: -
(1) We must tell the lost that they need peace with God in their hearts … “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1.)
(2) We must maintain and encourage peace within the local body of Christ.
To go beyond this is to become entangled “with the affairs of this life” (2 Timothy 2:4.)
Belt Up!
Paul speaks of the “bond of peace.” The word “bond” in Greek actually means “belt.” True godly peace binds people together, whereas disunity always destroys the church. It is “the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace,” therefore it cannot be produced from the human spirit or through humanitarian compassion.
Before we can experience peace in the fellowship of the saints, each individual believer must be at peace with God. We might not know if we are ever going to be able to live in harmony with some members of the body, but the Lord is able to flood our lives with the “peace of God, which passeth all understanding” (Philippians 4:7.) It is the only way forward if we are going to function as the church of Christ … “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body” (Colossians 3:15.)
We all know that God desires that peace be established amongst us, but He also expects us to be peacemakers too … “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God” (Matthew 5:9.) What are we called if we do not walk in peace? Conflicts do arise, but can we not belt-up concerning our grievances and operate in “the ministry of reconciliation”? (2 Corinthians 5:18.) If we do not maintain peace amongst ourselves, then how can we expect the unsaved to understand peace with God.
The Cause of Disharmony
One of the main causes of disharmony is selfishness (usually combined with a bitter and unforgiving spirit.) Pride sooner or later rears its ugly head where peace is established. It is the devil’s own unique method of destroying the church from within. How many members leave the church because of selfishness and pride? In fact it is more than those who leave over doctrinal differences. Pride cripples the Body of Christ. True Christian peace is directly opposite to selfishness … “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves” (Philippians 2:3.) As soon as someone sets himself up on a pedestal, or considers himself to be more important than everyone else, clashes will follow. Selfishness must be replaced with selflessness.
Conclusion
Peace is unattainable within the world’s system, but this should not be so for the church of Jesus Christ. It is not that we need to learn to get along with each other, but that we must walk worthy of Christ. Those who walk worthy practice forgiveness instead of hypocritically worshipping God … “Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift” (Matthew 5:24.)
Walking worthy, as is evident in this study, has to include walking in peace.