How Do You Make Peace?

The 'Colt Peacemaker'

The 1872 Colt revolver was the standard pistol for the US Army and popular among lawmen. It was nicknamed the “Colt Peacemaker.”

However, that was not the first time strength was used to keep peace. You might remember Pax Romana (Roman Peace), first instituted by Caesar Augustus. The phrase was descriptive of the peace-keeping presence of the Roman military throughout the Empire.

Today’s social media is buzzing about a new film series based on a DC Comics superhero called Peacemaker. He is passionate about peace saying, “I made a vow to have peace, no matter how many people I have to kill to get it.” Translation: Vigilante justice.

Do you see the common thread? Whether it is the Colt Peacemaker, Pax Romana or the Peacemaker comic book character, the assumption is that peace can be achieved by force.

You might categorize my examples as: history, ancient history, and fantasy. So, what about us, reality, today???

Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord. 

—Hebrews 12:14

God expects us to pursue peace, but there is no guarantee of peace. Jesus knew that:

These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world. 

—John 16:33

Even the common Christmas peace wish is rarely quoted fully. It holds a restriction:

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased. 

—Luke 2:14 (italics added)

God did not promise peace on earth among men. Jesus said:

Do you suppose I came to grant peace on the earth? I tell you, no but rather division. 

—Luke 12:51

Jesus recognized that the gospel would be rejected by many. As a result, there would be division within families. Friendships would end and opposing sides would be taken. Looking back to the verse from Hebrews (above), God desires His people to pursue sanctification, that is, a life set apart and devoted to the Lord. However, many people do not wish to lead a life that is sanctified. Many strongly resist it, resulting in division.

The Messiah was promised, not to bring peace between men, but between God and man.

For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven.

—Colossians 1:19-20 (italics added)

In the Old Testament, God’s anger burned against Israel when they made and worshipped a golden calf at Mount Sinai. The Scripture says:

Therefore He said that He would destroy them, had not Moses His chosen one stood in the breach before Him to turn His wrath from destroying them. 

—Psalm 106:23

Moses was a peacemaker. He made peace with God, not by a threat of force, but by confession of sins and by humbly pleading for mercy. Jesus made peace by offering himself as a sacrifice.

Blissful are the peacemakers, 

for they shall be called sons of God.

—Matthew 5:9

Peacemakers will be called sons of God because they are...

     just like Jesus, 

                 the Son of God, 

                                 the Prince of Peace.

Mark Stinnett

February 6, 2022