Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God” (Matt 5:9).  And the apostle Paul insists this is part of the Christian DNA in saying, “We are called to live in peace” (1 Cor 7:15).  Even in a culture as divided as ours, the Bible mandate to be peacemakers stands.  But how?  How are we expected to be peacemakers in a hostile environment?

The answer is to be proactive rather than reactive: “Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord” (Rom 12:17-19).

Notice that we are called to live in peace “as far as it is possible with you.”  Your proactive peaceful living and refusal to react in hostility is the Petri dish of peace.  It doesn’t guarantee peace but it gives peace its best chance.

If we don’t repay evil for evil, and instead do what is right in the sight of everyone, which would be the Golden Rule of “Do unto others what you would have them do unto you” (Matt 7:12), we will be giving peace a chance.  While it may be difficult, it is the call of God and the path of Christ.  And, if peace is possible in that particular circumstance, you will have given it legs.

Ironically, we promote peace by engaging the Enemy in war, taking our stand against him, putting on the full armor of God, trusting in God to give the victory, leaving “room for God’s wrath.”  Our war stance, however, is against the Evil One not against the antagonist, who is being used by Satan in an attempt to take away our peace.  Jus’ Say’n.