The writer of a letter to Voices March 9, 2008 presented an interesting proposition while showing a bit of naiveté in her belief about peace. She used Henry Ford’s dictum that success lies in the ability to see the other point of view as well as your own. That is all well and good as long a there is a common ground with both working toward the same end or goal.

She thinks that being more open-minded and less obtuse shows her understanding of the nature of peace. She wrote: “The settlement of disputes by peaceful means rather than with guns and bullets or bombs and in the beginning of a dispute rather than at the end after all the harm has been done is a far better way to a peaceful resolution.” While that is the ideal, the questions become that of what do we do when the other side doesn’t want to abide by mutual respect and civility and how can one have a better relationship with an enemy that doesn’t want to co-operate.  At this point, some lessons in history are in order.

Let’s begin with the words of Paul in Romans 12:18: If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Let’s examine the verse from the end back to the beginning. Here is the ideal, live peaceably with all men. The middle phrase indicates that the Christian is never to do anything to upset the peace or prevent it. But there is a condition for the peace Christians seek that begins the thought. The word “if” indicates that the Christian may not be able to maintain the peace since others make it impossible. Another way to say it is, “If you are able” meaning that there are times when Christians aren’t able to keep the peace since others desire not to have peace.

Paul’s instructions fit well with the words of Jesus. After reminding the disciples in Luke 22:35 that he had provided for them and protected them from the adversaries he said in verse 36, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.  The end of life for Jesus was drawing near and he told them, that since he no longer would be with them (verse 37) they need their purse, scrip (money) and their sword, the usual means of support and defense as they went about their business for the Lord. They needed to defend themselves from the thieves and robbers which Romans 12:18 covers.

Many think, as does the writer, that we can make peace with the enemy through discourse. That was tried by Neville Chamberlain of Great Britain when he met with Adolph Hitler in an attempt to prevent a war. Hitler made a worthless promise and signed his name to a worthless piece of paper to prove his “good” worthless intentions. The point is that no one had done anything to upset the peace at this time. It was Hitler who didn’t want peace except by his own ideas and on his terms. Shortly after signing that paper, he invaded Poland. Chamberlain’s words upon his return from Germany were, “I believe it is peace in our time. Go home and get a nice quiet sleep”  As Paul tells us in Romans, at times no matter what we do, peace isn’t always possible for us. Jesus knew that was true when he uttered the words in Luke 22:36. Chamberlain should have taken heed of the scriptures.

Of course, the ideal world would have peace. But when there are those who have wicked designs, Christians must stand for truth and right. That means that in the real world we have to fight for survival. Jesus knew that; Paul knew it and we have been so instructed by both. It would be good if that writer understood that peace can’t be one-sided. It takes two to make it possible and acquiescence to their violence won’t bring peace.

© 03-09-2008 DEC