Sow The Seed of Peace

A HARVEST OF RIGHTEOUSNESS IS GROWN FROM THE SEED OF PEACE PLANTED BY PEACEMAKERS. James 3.18

My heart was broken and I was greatly saddened when I heard from a friend that a church I knew well had a violent split! It’s pastor and leaders were my good friends. They had strong differences of opinion and couldn’t reconcile. I wondered how these mature Christian men and fellow-servants of the Lord could allow their human emotions to jeopardise and destroy their unity in the Lord and in the body of Christ! But unfortunately, that’s the way things happen.

The apostle Paul strongly exhorted the Ephesian believers, “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (Eph 4.3). They were not asked to endeavour to create a unity but to keep the unity that was already made by the Triune God Himself. You and I, and all the leaders and mature believers who are co-workers with God in the body, must make every effort to keep that unity. There will be many occasions when due to various reasons we could destroy the unity that God has established! Satan loves to work through our selfish ego and stubborn nature which make us think that only we are right!

In my book on Discipleship, I mentioned that the leaders of the churches are often not friends but foes. They are competitors and rivals. They are jealous of each other and their achievements, even when it comes to such a sacred task of saving souls! When someone falls or fails, which colleague of his will stand with him and give him support and encouragement? Aren’t we quick to condemn when someone has done wrong than commend people for the good things they have done?

Our selfishness and pride are the biggest obstacles in keeping our unity in the body of Christ. The unfortunate strife and divisions which we claim are for righteous reasons (only God knows who is right!) are seen as legitimate and hence inevitable! The tragedy is that the world watches and sees all this. They come to the conclusion that while we make great spiritual claims, we are no different from anyone else!

It is time we learn from the Word what it means to, “Agree to disagree and part and still live in peace!” This should enable us to ‘keep the unity in the Spirit’, if not of our mind and body! At least then, we could explain our stand to the people and still proclaim our unity in Christ and His body.

Dear believer, Jesus made it so clear, “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (Jn 13.35). The love for one another is to be seen at home among the family members as much as it must be noticed in the church. You must have a testimony before the people of living in love and harmony with your spouse, children and other members of the family. Only our love for each other will draw men and women to Christ and the Church. All our evangelistic efforts and social work to win men for Christ will be futile if you and I cannot demonstrate our love before them!

Pray and practise with me: Dear Lord, You said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God”. Help me to do my best to sow the seeds of peace and fulfill Your righteousness. Amen.