Peach Must Be Waged

W. Carl Ketcherside

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     The religious world is in turmoil. Believers in the Lord Jesus are fractured into hundreds of warring camps. The partisans in these splinter groups are often filled with bitterness and hatred. This is contrary to the will of the Father. It is opposed to the prayer of Jesus. But the condition exists and it is useless to deny it. What should be the attitude of one who deeply loves the Christ and his fellowmen, as respects the problem of disunity and strife?

     It would seem that his course is clearly outlined in the new covenant scriptures. First, he must recognize the party spirit for what it is. It is a work of the flesh. It will debar one from inheritance in the kingdom of God (Gal. 5:19). This will eliminate the possibility of mistaking a desire for unity for mere ambition to build up a party. Secondly, he must actively engage in the attempt to promote peace. He must be a peacemaker if he would be called a son of God (Matt. 5:9). He cannot be indifferent, unconcerned or unmoved by the rents in the body of the Christ. He dare not withdraw into his castle and snap and snarl at those who are trying to do something. He must be actively engaged in promoting harmony or forfeit his right to be called a son of God.

     In the third place, he must recognize that peace is not an accident. Unity is not a chance happening. Peace must be sought and pursued (1 Peter 3:11). It is a fruit of the Spirit which is reaped by those who sow the seed. "The harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace" (James 3:18). It must be aimed at. It cannot be hit upon by those who wave their weapon aimlessly and pull the trigger. "Aim at righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call upon the Lord from a pure heart" (2 Tim. 2:22). A state of division exists. It is contrary to God's will. We are charged with bringing about unity. Unity is the result of purposeful planning. It is not accidental. It follows then that true children of God must have a definite, positive approach to this problem, and they must be working on it!

     We must not think we can be saved by maintaining the status quo. If a man is struck by an automobile in front of my house, I cannot shrug it off by saying that none of my immediate family are hurt, therefore, it is no concern of mine; nor can I be justified by criticizing the methods of help used by my neighbors. So it is while the body of Christ lies bleeding and broken. I cannot excuse myself by saying it does not affect my congregation or group, nor will I be justified by sitting in an ivory tower complaining that the bandages and remedies applied by others are inadequate and useless. What am I doing to bring peace to this troubled world? I must face this

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question some day! I want to face it now!

     Peace must be waged! Some men wage war and endure untold hardship, privation and suffering to attain their objectives. What am I willing to sacrifice as a soldier for peace, with a part of my uniform the footgear of the preparation of the gospel of peace (Eph. 6:15)? Can I continue the campaign if others misunderstand my motives, seek to undermine the strategy of peace, misrepresent what I say, and hate me for not hating others? Can I endure the long hours of study, the absence from loved ones, and the constant pressures? That all depends upon whether the Cause in which I have enlisted is a passing fancy, a shimmering delusion, or a real and all-consuming passion. If I am dedicated to the Christ, crucified to the world and sanctified by the Spirit, then "none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself." The disunity, bitterness, party spirit and division which exist today have come from the seeds of hatred and animosity, planted in fertile soil by our forefathers. Shall we continue to walk in the same weary rut like a blind horse on a treadmill? Will we bequeath to our children and grandchildren a granary stored with the seed of distrust and malice? If peace is a fruit, it cannot be gathered until men prepare the soil and sow the seed!

     How can peace be waged? Perhaps we have practiced disunity so long we do not know how to plead for unity. I will venture to state a few convictions which I feel must be a part of a strategy for peace. Peace must be waged in love. "If there is...any incentive of love...complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind" (Phil. 2:1,2). Love is the incentive to unity, not vice versa. We do not love each other because we are of the same mind; we come to be of the same mind because we love each other. It is not unity which promotes love, but love which promotes unity. "If you love those who love you, what reward have you?" (Matt. 5:46). I must begin, continue, and finish in love.

     It is inconceivable that I would mistreat, abuse, or take unfair advantage of one whom I love. Therefore, if one differs with me upon matters relating to the service of God, I must make a difference between the person and what he advocates. Jesus died for him. He may not have died for what he argues. In love for the person, I must listen to what he says, weigh it carefully and dispassionately, always acceding to what is truth, aod then, in kindness, reasoning with him upon points of disagreement. "Do nothing from selfishness or conceit, but in humility count others better than yourselves."

     Under no circumstances must I sacrifice principle in order to have the goodwill of men. However, I must distinguish between those things that are basic and essential to a relationship unto God, and those matters which are incidental. "It is my prayer that your love may be more and more accompanied by clear knowledge and keen perception, for testing things that differ, so that you may be men of transparent character" (Phil. 1:9, 10. Weymouth). Love accompanied by clear knowledge and keen perception. What a trio of excellencies! To be willing to talk together, to exchange views in love, to treat each other as equals, does not imply an acceptance of all the varied viewpoints at once--or ever!

     We do not shoot men full of peace nor bombard them with unity! Peace and unity come as the result of patient striving in love, of long years of fruitful discussion and contact, of mutual understanding arrived at through long periods of prayer and study together. Unity can never be secured by two persons or groups who draw their rigid battle lines, and seek only to replenish their own supply of ammunition from God's arsenal so that they may blast each other into subjection. Such a course makes for wresting the scriptures, creating arguments where God made none, public debates with their rabid partisan followings, and the drawing away in sadness of those hungry souls who ask for a fish and are given a serpent!

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     Fair treatment of those who differ with us, a recognition of brotherhood in Jesus of all immersed penitent believers--these do not mean endorsement of error, compromise with false concepts, nor acceptance of interpretations that we believe to be wrong. They rather constitute only the foundation upon which we may explore our major problems, and from such contacts as are established build a better and brighter prospect for tomorrow. It is only those who have an inner fear that they lack truth, who shrink back from contact and withdraw into the confines of partisan citadels. Let us feel a sense of compassion for those who dare not face the battle, but let those who possess the vision and courage not be daunted, but press the battle for peace. "For God hath called us to peace."