THE ADVENT – PEACE

The word peace as a concept, is an indication that something is not right. There is some disturbance, somewhere, which has turned into a conflict. The conflict could be active and out in the open; or passive, silent and unseen. The reasons could be because of the interests, and the desires we hold, or could be in the motives for our words and actions. Any which way, the need for peace is a sure sign of serious differences, and to settle them, the parties concerned chose to fight it out – on various levels. Therefore the need for peace. 

However, the people who follow the path of peace are civilised, cultured and mature in handling the differences. Any fool can take up a gun, and run to fight. Sadly, the world we live in today, it appears, to pick up a fight, is considered, the most courageous thing. The truth is, it takes immense courage, nay guts, to walk the path of peace.

Peace is not for ordinary people. Peace is expensive. Walking the path of peace may make us look like idiots and fools. It is not for the weak hearts, and fickle minds. Thomas a Kempis says, “He will easily be content and at peace, whose conscience is pure.” Peacemakers are those, who, with clean and clear conscience, hold their anger in check, and channel it wisely, towards constructive efforts.* 

Warmongers, on the other hand, are destructive, and are utterly incapable for achieving peace, nor capable of upholding it, when given. For warmongers are deeply insecure, and terribly juvenile, in their hearts and minds. They will disturb and destroy peace. Wherever they go, they leave a long trail of death and destruction. Sadly many a Christian, in these days of warmongering, have fallen, to what I call, the heresy of “masculinisation of the meek,” and believe it, as the need of the hour.

The Bible, which is our lamp and our light, has these words to offer us…
“13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. 16 For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first PURE, then PEACEABLE, GENTLE, WILLING TO YIELD, FULL OF MERCY and GOOD FRUITS, WITHOUT PARTIALITY and WITHOUT HYPOCRISY. 18 Now the FRUIT of RIGHTEOUSNESS is SOWN in PEACE by THOSE WHO MAKE PEACE.” – James 3:13-18

– Peace comes only when we are willing to pay the price.
– Peace is possible only when we are willing to sacrifice in the greater interest of a solution.
– Peace is possible when we are willing to give up our rights.
– Peace is possible when our egos are set aside.
– Peace thinks from the other side too.
– Peace is willing to intentionally become vulnerable, in the interest of harmony and a solution.

God who loved us to the point of dying for us on the cross of Calvary, is a fine example, and a role model, for what peace is all about, and how it is worked out. Jesus is called, let us not forget, the Prince of peace. He is the one who is asking us to be the peacemakers. The LORD Jesus said, “9 Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God.” – Matthew 5:9

William Gurnall, the good old Puritan says, ‘As you love your peace, Christian, be plain-hearted with God and man, and keep the king’s highway.” O Christian, do we have the courage to be the peacemakers, and thereby, truly and fully represent the Prince of Peace?