Being a Christian is a fascinating walk of peace in a war torn world.
The older I get, the more I value the peace that comes from above. I treasure it as something very different from versions of peace that come from alternate sources. For example there is the version of peace where two warring parties come together, talk about their difference, sign a piece of paper and claim there to be peace. In reality the resentment is unresolved, the hostility has merely transferred from overt violence to subtle forms of division given credence by the political process.
There’s also the version of peace at a more personable level which is down to the lack of noise. You take yourself away from the busy hustle and bustle of life and place yourself in a place that values silence except for those noises of nature and you are apparently at peace.
The mission of the Holy Spirit in showing who God is in Jesus Christ reflects the very peacemaking characteristic Jesus said was a feature of those who are blessed.
It has been remarkable seeing brothers and sisters in Christ fully convinced of God’s call in a certain area of their lives and just carrying on with it. There is no sense of disharmony, once the steps are taken. There may have been questions and doubts beforehand, but as they plant one foot in front of another, there is a serene sense that they know they are in line with God’s will and exhibit that quality of Spirit-given peace.
It is not a guarantee that all will go smoothly – on the contrary. It is not a guarantee that people will understand – on the contrary. Yet that sense of conviction also leaves an aura of that sense of peace that is so strong it defies anyone to suggest different.
Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is that certain sense of peace, and as brothers and sisters together agree on those things, that sense of peace that the Spirit gives leads to a strong bond. I recall standing with a dear brother in Christ as we sought to make our way with some young people in our community. As we prayed together and agreed on what we would do, there was a clear sense between us that with God with us we could not go wrong.
As a result we spent a good few years making remarkable in-roads in the lives of the young people we came across, not because of brilliant elocution or fancy presentations. Just because of opportunities we offered them to see what peace could be experienced where the Spirit of the Lord chose to rest. As my friend and I lived out that presence, those young people noticed the difference and responded to it – sometimes positively, sometimes negatively – but always a distinct response.
Herein lies the great paradox of the presence of the Spirit, for although He is the one who ushers peace in so doing, He also evokes conflict on a number of levels.
There are vested interests who prefer the status quo to remain the same. As long as people are not at peace and dealing with ongoing conflict of one sort or another, it actually works out well for some. For example in the very real physical realm, if people were to quit smoking en masse the repercussions for the tobacco industry would be serious. So in as much as they recognise the health risks, it’s in their best interests that people keep on smoking and new people continue to start and get addicted.
That same principle works with regard to what apostles referred to as the ‘prince of the air’, the ruler of darkness who delights in people continuing in their deceived and deluded state. The mission of the Spirit thus brings conflict against these forces. It is a conflict that actually saw it’s ultimate defeat in Jesus’ death and resurrection. We, however, face that same battle against very real spiritual forces that look to distract and disrupt us from the Kingdom agenda. As long as we stand for what God stands for, as long as we are peacemakers, persecution, rejection and hostility are inevitable.
Ironically, however, the greatest area of conflict is within the very follower of Christ who has been blessed by the Spirit of peace. It is not what is done outside a man that crushes him, it is what is done within him. The forces of evil are great and the temptations are seductive, yet it is the flesh of a man that can be somewhat overwhelming. So as the Spirit takes residence in the human being He unleashes war against the flesh and calls for its death on a daily basis.
Even the most innocuous compliment, can be cause for pride to rise and endeavour to quench the work of the Spirit. The war within is an ongoing battle that, with experience and intentional growth in the things of Christ, leads just as much to a deeper understanding of what lies within as it does to a deeper love for who has loved enough to live and change us from within.
As there is greater growth in Christ, so there is the assurance that in the heat of the battles whether outside or internally, there is still peace. That peace hints to something better, something greater, something promised to those who would follow Jesus when in the consummation of all things the Prince of Peace ushers eternal peace vanquishing all opposing forces and establishing that blessed shalom. Those hints are present where the Spirit of the Lord resides.
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
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