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Peace in a violent world. When?

Posted on Sun, May 25, 2008

“If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.” 1 Timothy 4:6


Memorial Day is almost here again – a holiday celebrated every last Monday in May in remembrance of those who have died in our nation's service. Someone has said “Memorial Day is not about division. It is about reconciliation; it is about coming together to honor those who gave their all. It is a celebration to honor patriotic Americans who died fighting in any war.”

 

We in Christ Disciples Ministries, join appreciative Americans everywhere to commend the loyalty of our heroes and heroines. We are ever thankful for them. Certainly, no act of patriotism is greater than to die for ones’ country. Thus, we pray for the world’s peace and look for days when as Isaiah had prophesied, nations “shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks: (A day when) nations shall not lift up sword against nations, neither shall they learn war any more.”

As we appreciatively reflect this week, as always, on the supreme sacrifices that our men and women have made to our nations, let us also think of what contributions we can make in our little ways and corners towards world peace and humanity’s mutual coexistence. We may not all be able to bear arms and fight our enemies in Iraq, Afghanistan or elsewhere. But, we can foster peace when we deliberately and habitually maximize the virtues of our neighbor next door and cease from” badmouthing” him to others. Thus, beginning at where we live, we can start to build character and thwart needless aggression. Husbands and wives can quench domestic rages by beginning in their homes to be a little tolerant of each other when in error. To extinguish the flame of war, or pursue peace and take a hold of it, we will need to cover mistakes with forgiveness. For example,  if we can opt out from and loath every acts of racism when and where it is seen, heard or felt; if only we can spurn all discrimination based on religious differences, language, ethnicity or sex, then we can immortalize the nobility of our deceased patriots, become honest celebrators of Memorial Day and wholesome embracers of peace.

This is what Paul had in mind when he exhorted and admonished Timothy - his “god-son”- “to put the brethren in remembrance of these things”. Jesus is the prince of peace. If He abides in us, and we in Him, peace which is one fruit of the spirit becomes a natural offshoot of our lives. The bible says:   “… the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another. Galatians 5:22-26 . It is possible to lead a lifestyle and be a promoter of peace, even in a violent world when we are the children of God. Jesus Christ said “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Matthew 5:9 

 

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