To be able to hold oneself in a condition of inner calmness and also relate in same manner with fellow men amid circumstances of stress, vicissitude and trouble is a major step towards holiness. Certainly, a person cannot be adjudged as righteous or holy who is not a man of peace. It goes without saying therefore that peace and holiness have connection. Jesus Christ promised his followers peace because he is the very embodiment of peace the Prince of Peace- vested with all powers not only to imbue the children of God with peace now but also in the world to come to establish peace on earth forever and ever.
The word peace is used in different ways with several meanings in the Holy Scriptures. But the one that has bearing with my message is related to our day to day dealings with fellow human beings of ours. God, in manifestation of His infinite love, has always shown concern in the affairs of man. When Cain out of sheer hatred murdered his own brother, Abel, God ensured that he was justly punished for his wickedness. The laws He enacted through Moses for His favoured people centred on peaceful living. It was the firm belief of the Jews that peace was bestowed by God and should be worked for by obedience to His laws and should as well be prayed for. Lev. 26:3-6; Psa. 29:11; 122:6, etc.
I draw my theme from the epistle of St. Paul to the Hebrews at chapter 12, verse 14, to wit: “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man can see the Lord.” The exhortations in the two preceding verses before this all-important admonition which is our subject are a food for thought. He exhorted that the hands that hanged down in inactivity should be lifted up, and the feeble knees be made strong; spiritual healing of all infirmities be effected so that the match to salvation may be straight-forward otherwise the lame would be turned out of the way.
“Follow peace with all men” may be considered by some to be near impossibility. God will not admonish us to do what we cannot do and He inspired the apostle to write the epistle to the Christians. We are unable to follow peace with our fellow men sometimes for reason which we can avoid or overlook or even play down. Two friends in the same church group-have turned to be bitter enemies for the reason that one failed to turn up at the marriage ceremony of the daughter of the other. The problem that arose out of this matter went out of hands as no explanation or apology could pacify the one offended. Anger made him unable to listen to the reason of his friend’s inability to attend.
Take another case of two Christian sisters who were very friendly. One took the other to get a loan of N10,000.00 (ten thousand Naira) from a trade union with little interest when she was in dire need of the money for a business. At the time the loan was due for repayment with the interest, the sister showed no concern. The one who assisted her was worried for the embarrassment and as the one whose reputation was at stake. Bitterness and quarrel ensued between the two of them and God helped the woman to pay the loan unknown to the ungrateful sister so called. However, after a long time she settled the old debt. There are lots of things like these instances and many more that are hindrances to those who really want to do good or who want to be kind as to follow peace with all men but which they find themselves at a loss to cope with. The apostle, Paul, who was inspired to write the exhortation which I am expatiating upon was quite aware of the fact that among men were the ungodly. He wrote and predicted that in the last days in which we are living men will be selfish, unholy, proud, arrogant, abusive, ungrateful, inhuman, implacable, slanderers, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of God, and so on. And he warned, avoid such people-2 Tim 3:1-5.
Whatever experience one may have had from a few who may have shown ungodly traits should not discourage anyone from obeying the words of God or doing whatever one knows to be good in one’s own interest. In God’s judgement, favour is always on one’s side for doing good while evil is for the evil doer. For it is written: “Whose rewarded evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house” (Prov. 17:13) And St. Paul stated, “Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.” – Eph. 6:8.
Peace is essential in the life of a Christian in all ways. “For the Kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit,” stated Paul the apostle, “For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men. Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.” – Rom. 14:17-19.
The apostle was concerned with the transformation of the Christians in Rome and had a strong desire that they conform to the rules of Christ by the renewing of their minds. He admonished them to exhibit genuine love for one another with brotherly affection, and added: “Recompense to no man evil for evil, provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, (that is, it depends on you) live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, (here is the beauty of Christianity) but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, faith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” –Rom. 12:17-21.
Our Master and Saviour, Jesus Christ the righteous demonstrated this and set the pace for you and me and all his followers for that matter to follow. In spite of his persecutors who openly ridiculed and slew him he still had an opportunity to pray God to forgive them. Stephen followed his good example when he was stoned to death. But before he gave up the breath, he knelt down and prayed. “Lord, lay not this sin to their charge.” (Act 7:60) Incidentally, Saul, who became Paul the apostle, was one of the young men who took active part in that nefarious act in that he took charge of the clothes of those who stoned the martyr Stephen. – Acts 7:58; 22:20.
As Christians, we must be identified not only as men and women of peace or holy people but also as peacemakers. Jesus Christ said it all, “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. – Matt. 5:9.
“Follow peace with all men, and holiness without which no man shall see the Lord.”
May God give you understanding in all things. Amen