We like to be comfortable.
Many of our behaviors are motivated (often subconsciously) by our desire to maintain comfort. We want our needs met (and then some). We want predictability. We want everyone to “just get along”. Easy and stress-free, this type of lifestyle can still be devoid of peace because the Bible’s concept of peace is not about comfort.
True peace means having a right standing with God, because Jesus made amends for our sins in his death and resurrection. An eternal peace.
In order for us to have peace with God, Jesus had to die. Suffering and death in and of themselves don’t seem peaceful, but they were necessary so we could have a relationship with God. Similarly, our work to cultivate this peace on earth might involve conflict, pain, and hardships.
Jesus makes the provocative statement in the book of Matthew, chapter 10, “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter against her mother-in-law, a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household…” Certainly Jesus is our “Prince of Peace”, but as he is instructing the disciples in this passage, he is turning our ideas of peace upside down. In order to find true peace in Jesus, we must forsake our earthly comforts. He demands allegiance to him above ALL; we follow and obey him even if it costs us everything.
We too, as Jesus’s disciples, are given the task to bring peace to our homes, communities, and our world. We do this by sharing the good news of his death and resurrection, and by demonstrating His radical love as we serve and lay down our lives for each other. We establish peace by defending the cause of the poor, oppressed, the orphan and the widow. We stand up for those who can’t for themselves. But, just as Jesus warned, this is not the easy road. Along the way we will encounter others who don’t want to challenge the status quo--they would prefer everyone “just get along”, accept things the way they are. This is no option for the sold-out follower of Jesus because, in God’s kingdom, peace and justice go hand-in-hand.
Accepting injustices, just keeping quiet for the sake of not ruffling feathers, is what Martin Luther King Jr. calls an “obnoxious peace”, one that “stinks in the nostrils of the almighty God”. MLK continues on in this well known sermon (you can read the transcript here: "When Peace Becomes Obnoxious") to describe peace as “not merely the absence of some negative force--war, tensions, confusion, but it is the presence of some positive force--justice, goodwill, the power of the kingdom of God.”
Psalm 34:14 says “Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.” In a fallen and sinful world, where the default is turmoil, injustice, self advancement and self preservation, we as followers of Christ must actively pursue peace. As we pursue true peace for all, we are blessed with the inner peace that comes from obeying God in accordance to his will.
God, examine our hearts. Help us to seek justice for all, even above our own comforts. May we take up our cross daily, dying to our own selfish desires. May we follow the boldness of those like MLK who have gone before us; may we not settle for a false, obnoxious peace, but may we pursue true peace as we seek Your kingdom here on earth.
Meet the Author!
Taylor is the wife of Council Road's Groups Pastor, Micah White, and mother to Navy and Foster. She works as a PA in Oklahoma City, and is also passionate about serving and edifying the local Church. She most enjoys time with her family, but can also be found reading, teaching, making music, hand-lettering, and hosting gatherings. She loves a friendly debate and a good laugh.