“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity” (Psa. 133:1)! We know that to be true, and we strive for that end. However, there are times when we feel more like, “too long has my soul had its dwelling with those who hate peace” (Psa. 120:6). We may feel at odds with the majority of people around us. Holding certain ideals or moral absolutes has become less popular. Instead of being tolerant of people, for some, it becomes a reason to be disrespectful or indecent. I know that the very process of an election, in normal circumstances, is divisive. However, this election seems to be more explosive and ugly than any other. As God’s people, what are we going to do?
We need to look to one of the main functions of the Christ. Isaiah said this about the future Messiah, “Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end” (9:7a). At His birth angels said, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men” (Luke 2:14). In His death he consummated peace between God and man. “And he came and preached peace to you who were far away, and peace to those who were near; for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father” (Eph. 2:17-18). There is a sense in which His whole purpose was peace.
If we are to be children of God, then we need to be making similar efforts. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God” (Matt. 5:9). We can do that by loving our enemies and blessing those that hate us. “But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven” (Matt. 5:44-45a). We need to also display a wisdom that is from above. “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace” (Jas. 3:17-18). We must be able to contend and not be contentious. “The Lord’s bondservant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will” (2 Tim. 2:24-26).
We must be those who are seeking after peace. That does not mean compromise on truth and morals. However, “the one who desires life, to love and see good days, must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit. He must turn away from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it” (1 Pet. 3:10-11). Will you be a peacemaker?