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If there's anything that I think can set the church (Christ followers) apart from everything else in our age it is the ongoing pursuit and lifestyle of peace. We face 'wars and rumors of wars' almost everyday. Afghanistan. Iraq. Russia. Iran. Cities plagued with murders. Abusers. Death penalties. Guantanamo Bay. It's on foreign soil and it's at home. Violence reigns. Vengeance is deemed our right and our justification.-
But where is the church? Where are the followers of the Prince of Peace? Are we too lining up to support vengeance? Do we participate in the violence of the world? Where is the prophetic voice of the church that decries injustice and the killing of innocents? Have we become so utilitarian to sacrifice the lives of many innocent people for the greater good...or at least what we think is the greater good?-
In such a time of violence and warfare there is no greater thing the church can do than live out its call to peace. Instead of churches rallying toward war they ought to be rallying to prayer...prayer for peace. We need to be instruments of that peace to our families, neighbors, and to the larger global community. I feel this is one of the greatest opportunities for the church in our age. People long for peace. They want to know how to live for it. They want to know how to forgive. They want to overcome hate. We are in a time when we, as the church, have an incredible opportunity to show people the gospel of Peace.-
God only knows what the future may hold. There's no reason to get scared about what tomorrow may bring, but there is certainly reason to be vigilant and to allow the gospel to speak to our current age. The subject of peace is something the church has to bring to the table. It is one of Jesus' central messages. It ought to become ours as well.
