Why We Need the Gospel of Peace More Than Ever

The gospel of peace is essential if we are to maintain a powerful and positive witness for Jesus in our world.

2024 will see elections held in over 60 countries. Politics is becoming hyper-partisan and more divisive; rhetoric in campaigning, advertising and reporting more incendiary and people are increasingly emotionally invested in their own political leaning.

Many influential spiritual leaders have boldly taken political positions that risked alienating a large part of the population. So, what are we to do about these trends?

Always start with the Bible

As followers of Jesus, God’s word is our guide to our thoughts, words and actions. There are two very important considerations in this regard. And they are related to each other.

First, the Gospel of Peace

We can start with the armor of God that Paul presented in Ephesians 6: “as shoes for your feet…the gospel of peace.” (ESV)

If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

Romans 12:18 (ESV)

So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.

Romans 14:19 (ESV)

Strive for peace with everyone.

Hebrews 12:14 (ESV)

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

Matthew 5:9 (ESV)

Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.

Mark 9:50 (ESV)

You get the picture!

There are two elements to this peace: peace with each other and peace with everyone! The good news is that peace is available. We can be authors of peace, ambassadors of peace. In fact, grace and peace are part of the heritage we have as followers of Jesus. Peace is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Our lives should reflect that peace.

Whenever a follower of Jesus enters a tense situation, we should be assured that peace is about to break out!

In order to live the gospel of peace, we must be willing to subject our feelings and responses to self-control (another gift of the Spirit). I believe that means we refrain from political talk that is not respectful. Strong feelings no doubt exist here and not everyone agrees with this approach and that leads to the second consideration we must heed.

Ministry of reconciliation

As followers of Jesus, we have a clear task of reconciling the world to Christ. How can we possibly do this when we are alienating people because of our explicitly stated political views?

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.

2 Corinthians 5:17–19 (ESV)

What approach do we use to become ministers of reconciliation as God’s word instructs us to be?

For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.

1 Corinthians 9:19–23 (ESV)

These two passages clearly instruct us to limit our own self-expression when it comes to controversial and divisive issues. Does that mean that we compromise what we believe in order not to offend? Not at all. It means that when we talk about our faith, we saturate the conversation in love. And when those things we believe are not essential to the gospel, we exercise self-control and refrain from saying anything that would compromise our ministry of reconciliation.

As citizens, it is important we take our responsibility seriously and engage in civic processes to the degree we are comfortable. However, that involvement must never compromise our responsibility to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Action

During this vital year of elections, we will be bombarded with political messages that incite fear and promote the idea that votes we cast have existential consequences. We must prayerfully engage with the process, sensitively respond to the confusion around us and continue to share the great love of God with in cultures. God will use us to change the world when we are committed to his leadership, the gospel of peace and the ministry of reconciliation. Let us ensure that nothing hinders that!