Too long have I lived among those who hate peace. – Psalm 120:6

Today’s Scripture Reading (July 28, 2019): Psalm 120 & 121

Some years ago, I had a conversation with an older pastor who was on his way out of the denomination to which we both belonged in favor of the denomination of his youth. His reason for leaving stopped me. It had nothing to do with having more friends or that more opportunities that might have been available with a different group of churches, and it had nothing to do with worship style or conflict within the denomination. The issue that had led him to the decision had to do with peace. The denomination to which we both belonged at the time had no policy on war or peace. It was a decision that the church leaders had decided needed to be dealt with at the local level of the churches or even left as a matter of conscience among the believers. The denomination of his youth had a strong message of peace and pacifism, and it was to that message that my friend wanted to return.   

From a denominational perspective, I am not sure what the answer should be to our dilemma about peace. But I will admit that sometimes I think our conscience, with regard to the subject of war and violence, has let us down. I am not anti-gun, but I think that something has to be done about the gun violence in our world. For me, gun ownership is a privilege that we should have to earn rather than a right that we are given. I think that there are times when war seems like an unfortunate necessity, but sometimes we get to that point of necessity too quickly. And sometimes, it is too easy to become the Christian bully on the block. Christians in the Western World have earned the title of the “gods of war,” and I am convinced that it is not a title with which we should be at ease.

It is not that we hate peace, or that we love war, but instead that we don’t love peace enough, or hate war enough. And maybe we love getting our own way more than we should. As Christians, we need to get to the point where we realize that how we get there is very important. If we reach the goal that we want to achieve by lying, the cost is too high. The path that we take on the way to our goals is essential, and part of what it means to be a Christian.

And as Christians, we can live in peace even in a world that does not support our beliefs. And if you question that, just look at the early church. They made a massive difference in the world that did not accept any of the significant issues that the Christians held close. Yet, they were the voice of peace and love in their world, even paying the ultimate price for their faith. Peace reigned in their midst because they would not entertain any other reality. They were a people who truly loved peace.

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Psalm 126