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There are some perverted folk who enjoy strife and controversy. Some actually revel in a good fight or even in warfare. I am sure that most folk prefer peaceful relations with their family, neighbors, friends and brethren. This should surely be the aim of the Christian (Rom. 12:18). Our Christ is the “Prince of Peace” (Isa. 9:6) and His Word is the “Gospel of Peace” (Eph. 6:15). The Lord pronounced a blessing on “peacemakers” (Mat. 5:9). Heaven is appealing because it will be perfect peace (1 Pet. 1:3-9).
It is possible to be so consumed with pursuing peace that one ignores other important pursuits. While we are to be peaceable as a general rule, there are some important exceptions. Yes, some things are more important than peace. Is it a God-approved peace that comes at the price of one’s honesty or moral purity? Are we to so seek peace that we will compromise God’s Word?
There is a climate abroad in the church of the Lord today that seeks “peace at any price.” It is seen in those who seem to believe that the sin of all sins would be to offend someone. They will not teach what Christ said on marriage, divorce and remarriage lest some living in adulterous marriages become offended. Others will not teach what God says about drinking immodest apparel, sexual promiscuity, dancing, cursing, materialism and other sinful and worldly behavior lest they “run someone off.” Many a pulpit no longer rings forth with the Gospel that fed and nourished the saints to maturity a generation ago. Many a preacher has bowed to the pressure to deliver little 10-minute pep talks, full of current events and humorous stories that will make all leave feeling good about themselves and everyone else. ‘”Keep the peace” is the principal aim in many a church, never mind if the people are starving to death spiritually!
There are those in the church who obstinately refuse to hear about problems or issues that might involve controversy. “If we don’t know about them, they don’t exist,” seems to be their thinking. Consequently, they accept almost everything and object to almost nothing to preserve the peace. Those who are set to defend the Gospel (as was Paul [Phi. 1:16]) grow just as weary of strife as anyone, especially when it involves our brethren. However, as soldiers of Christ, we are spiritual traitors to either run from the fight or wave the flag of truce at the expense of Truth, even the “Prince of Peace” came not to bring peace only, but a sword and division (Mat. 10:34; Luke 12:51). We forfeit our eternal peace if peace is our only concern now. Those who seek perpetual peace in this 1ife are seeking peace too soon!
[Note: I wrote this article for and it was published in The Edifier, weekly bulletin of Pearl Street Church of Christ, Denton, TX, July 30, 1987, of which I was editor.]
Attribution: From thescripturecache.com; Dub McClish, owner and administrator.
