Peace or Fear?

 

Is it peace or fear? Love or hate?

 

What, this morning, is in our hearts?

 

How long will we be manipulated with the same appeals to fear and hate? How many more elections? How many more Supreme Court nominations? If you are young, you may not know that this goes on and on. If you are old and have a short attention span, and have allowed yourself to be conditioned by your surroundings, then you are unaware of the ocean you swim in if you are propagating fear among your fellow citizens – whether you are the source or are “just passing it on.”

 

But let me make this more personal for the man or woman who professes to follow Jesus Christ – if you have bought into fear and into hate, into vilifying others and smearing them with slogans and taglines, then you, just as James and John in Luke 9:51 - 56 who wanted to call down fire on others, have forgotten just who Jesus Christ is and who you really are. You are exchanging your birthright for a mess of pottage – and a stinky mess at that.

 

Paul writes that “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and sound judgment [thinking]” (2 Timothy 1:7). Jesus says, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God” (Matthew 5:9). Peace is to be a Way of Life for those who belong to the Prince of Peace – is it my Way of Life? Is it your Way of Life?

 

While it is true that the Church is involved in spiritual warfare, let’s not forget two things (at least!). The first is that the warfare is indeed spiritual. The second is that the warfare is cruciform – that is, it takes place in a life that has been crucified with Jesus Christ, a life that is perpetually laying itself down for Christ and others.

 

The overcoming Lion of the Tribe of Judah is seen as a Lamb that has been slain (Revelation 5:4 – 6). This is the Lamb whom we are called to follow, wherever He goes (Rev. 14:4). Just as Christ Jesus overcame by crucifixion, so in Him we overcome by sharing in His sufferings and crucifixion (Galatians 2:20; Phil. 3:8 – 13; Rom. 8:14 – 18; 1 Peter 1:6 – 9; 4:12 – 14; 5:10).

 

And let us not forget that, if we belong to Christ, that we are not of the world (John 16:19; 17:16). Have we forgotten this? Have we ever actually known it?

 

It is not for us to propagate fear. It is not for us to live in fear. It is for us to, in Christ, be a source of peace, and hope, love, and reconciliation.

 

Biblical leadership, cruciform leadership, does not vilify others; it does not seek to place itself or God’s People in subservience to worldly agendas – most especially political. It certainly doesn’t motivate people by propagating fear and distrust and tribal warfare.

 

The season of Advent, the birth of the Prince of Peace, will soon be here. If we cannot and do not live as the people of the Prince of Peace now, right now – if we are not sowing seeds of peace rather than seeds of fear (see especially James 3:13 – 18); then let us have the integrity not to celebrate Advent.

 

Who can we bring peace to today? Who can we pray for? Who can we love? Who can we help?

 

Are we places and people of safety and peace, in Jesus Christ, in this surrounding tsunami of fear?