Police, military and a justice system are legitimate
functions of government. But, please – we all have a part, too, in making peace
happen. So let me say a word to my fellow Christians, if you don’t mind, for
2016. Peace is when people are able to resolve their conflicts without violence
and can live together in safety without fear (see Leviticus 26:3-6). I can illustrate
it with my two dogs. They are rivals for food, for territory, and for their
master’s attention. But they can actually take a nap right next to one another.
There can be peace between them. They can live together without harm, fear or
violence.
In Christianity, we see ourselves as rebel sinners against
God and in need of peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ by the Holy
Spirit (Romans chapters 1-5). Having been justified (put right with God) by
faith in Christ and having been united with him in his death, burial and
resurrection, — we are now called to righteousness, love and truth in his power,
not ours (Rom 6-12), and we are called to be at peace with others (Rom 13-16).
But how? Romans 13:8 provides the key: “Owe no one anything, except to love
each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.” Love empowers
people to resolve conflicts without violence and to live together in community
without harm or fear.
Last Lord’s Day, a wonderful minister of the Word in Mebane,
NC preached as follows: 2016 is a new year. It’s high time to cast off worldly
ways. “I deserve to be happy – regardless of God and others.” “I deserve
pleasure – regardless of God and others.” “I deserve respect and recognition –
regardless of God and others.” Shake off the sleep, dear Christian. Put off
those old bed clothes of a culture of me-first. And put on the Lord Jesus
Christ. It’s daylight now, so live that way. And be aware that the new day of
Christ’s Second Coming is not all that far away (at least from a divine
perspective). To quote his text of Scripture, Romans 13:11-14:
“Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for
you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first
believed. The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off
the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly as in
the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and
sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ,
and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.”
The fruit of Christ by the Holy Spirit is love, joy, peace .
. . (Gal 5:22-23). Let’s live as Christians in 2016.
