The world in general regards peace as an end, rather than a means.
It conceives peace to be the cessation of war, stoppage of conflict,
restoration of law and order. This is desirable, to be sure, but the
bitter truth is that real peace is not attainable by mere outward
adjustment. Moreover, peace, enduring peace, is not only the ending of
one order that has been weighed in the balance and found wanting, it is
the beginning of a new and better order in which justice, righteousness
and brotherhood are to prevail. Alas! it is only too true that we are
all to a greater or lesser degree affected with the worldly idea of
peace. We stress outward things, and look for the coming of the Kingdom
through exterior processes. The world as yet has failed to make a
lasting peace. Time and time again great peace councils have, by the
very terms of peace the victor sought to impose, sown the seeds of
future wars.
Great Captains with their guns and drums,
Disturb our judgment for the hour.
But at last silence comes,
Yes, silence comes, and just about the time when sober reflection
and careful judgment is replacing the fever and excitement of war, great
captains with their guns and drums disturb our judgment again; disturb
it with the roar of cannon and the loosing of the dogs of war upon a
helpless society. The world professes to love peace, brotherhood and
justice, but conquerors and victors are quick to make sure that the
balance of power is on their side, and that armies and navies big enough
to keep the peace are in training and ready for action.
Few of us are free from the opinion that outside favorable
conditions are able to produce of themselves inward repose. We think,
for instance, that the possession of sufficient wealth to protect us
from the annoyances and anxieties attendant on meager incomes and heavy
outlays would produce a peace, where now there is only distraction and
anxiety. That it might help accomplish this is freely granted, that
society as a whole ought to be protected from the fear of poverty as
well as the handicap of it is likewise granted. Yet, even so, the most
generous provisions, the most ample safeguarding of this kind cannot of
itself produce inward calm. There are many living amid physical
conditions that are favorable to rest, recreation and wide travel who
are inwardly in a constant state of turbulency, turmoil, and strife.
Tribulations, however, of one kind or another await the sons of men
everywhere, and wait us despite wealth, genius, and even godly living.
These tribulations are inescapable, but they are conquerable. Jesus
overcame them, and the same power that enabled Him to overcome, He
assures us, will enable us to overcome. It is the inner peace that
counts. Given the inner peace and the ideals and teachings of Jesus, and
the result is a peace such as the world cannot give because the world
has it not.
Why is it that society is slow to accept Christ's peace? Why is it that individuals are prone to turn
elsewhere for power, only to meet disappointment? Is it because we do
not understand the nature of His peace? Possibly. But a better
explanation is that we are not willing to receive His peace on the
simple terms He offers it. It is not true that the peace of God is given
without conditions, even though it be freely given and given to all
men. "These things have I spoken that in me you might have peace." Ah,
yes, the things spoken in that conversation at the table, we must not
forget them. They are all-important, they are fundamental. Summarized,
these things are as follows, "Abide in Me." Let "My words abide in you."
"Love one another even as I have loved you." "Keep My commandments."
"Bear much fruit." "Bear witness." "Ask and ye shall receive." "I have
given you an example that you should do as I have done to you." "Be of
good cheer." The peace of Jesus Christ is an inward rest, but it is
more, it is a way of life in which love, justice, mercy, forgiveness,
find radiant demonstration.
"When he called upon men to follow him, to share his baptism and
drink his cup," says W. E. Orchard, "He was not mocking them with
impossible ideals. He was asking them to be as he was, to live for the
same ends, to undertake the same task. Jesus invited men to his ethical
and spiritual level. The blunting of this call by the declaration that
Jesus can never be followed by mortal men is responsible for the low
state of Christian discipleship."
Candor compels the admission that the world's idea of peace is
still influential in the churches. Here too, the emphasis is largely on
outward conformity, the dependence on ecclesiastical and doctrinal
regularity. These have been only too often the weapons of Christendom to
enforce uniformity and promote appearance of solidarity. The various
denominations, after the fashion of nations, have their "war parties,"
their "jingoes" and "dollar diplomacy." These powerful elements are
intent on preserving traditional ideas and time-worn methods, by
recourse to sectarian armament and threat of excommunication or brand of
heresy and stigma of unorthodoxy. Thus has the cause of Jesus' peace
been betrayed oft-times in the house of the Master. Sectarian
disarmament must take place among the denominations before the Church
can ever have an influential voice and great prestige in the Peace
Councils of the world.
