“So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ…” 2 Corinthians 5:18-20.
Paul was the ultimate peacemaker. He encouraged peacemaking in his writing to the churches of the first century.
- Paul called the Corinthian church to live in harmony. “All of you be in agreement… no divisions among you,” 1 Corinthians 1:10. And, “Aim for restoration… live in peace,” .
- In his letter to the Philippian church, Paul urged Euodia and Syntyche, to “be of the same mind in the Lord,” Philippians 4:2–3.
- Paul asked Philemon to receive his runaway slave, Onesimus, back into his home and to receive him as a brother in Christ. “I appeal to you on the basis of love” (Philemon 9).
- Paul told the members of the church in Rome to “never pay back evil with more evil. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone,” Romans 12:16ff.
Paul also modeled peacemaking in the way he treated others despite their mistreatment of him. The Philippian jailer who stood guard over Paul, was treated with respect and kindness after Paul’s miraculous release. Resulting in Paul’s baptizing the jailer and his family.
When the ship on which prisoner Paul was being carried to a trial in Rome ran into bad weather and a threatened shipwreck, Paul still looked out for the crew’s well-being and resultingly saved many of their lives.
Paul was a man who lived every moment of his life in an intentional way, never forgetting Who he was representing and how he should treat everyone, friend or enemy. He exemplified peacemaking in everything he did.
What a contrast to the “get even,” retaliation world we live in where we bomb, sue, withhold, and give the cold shoulder to those who we think have wronged us. Not the way Paul would have handled it.
Prayer:
Father, it is hard to be a peacemaker in a world where every action and reaction is measured on a balance scale. In Jesus’ world, scales don’t matter; Jesus calls us to be peacemakers–no matter what. Help us to keep our eye on that value. May we be better than our inclinations or wounded pride. In Jesus’ name. Amen.