Christians in Conflict

Christians in Conflict

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” (Colossians 3:15)

We begin our study of Holy Habits this week, appropriately, with this notion: Christians are called to make peace in a world of conflict. It may seem a quaint idea in and of itself, but we should take seriously the reminder we were given from the quote from Emerson, “Sow a thought and you reap an action; sow an act and you reap a habit; sow a habit and you reap a character; sow a character and you reap a destiny.” Our habits shape our actions, reactions, thoughts, perspectives, decisions, and thus, our future. They become synonymous with who we are and what we are known for. Shouldn’t we do all we can to make them holy, or to conform them to the Biblical standards we’ve been given? By focusing on making our habits holy, that can change our mood, our actions, our outlook, and our fate. With that in mind, let’s delve a little deeper.

One of the first things discussed was that making peace involves intentional acts. Too many times we view peacemaking, submission, and deference to all mean roughly the same thing. That by neglecting to partake in conflict we are somehow “creating peace”. And while the larger world is overwhelmingly intent on “creating conflict” I can see why some believe that approach is appropriate. Sure, by way of comparison, we are more peaceful. But that bar is set abysmally low. And the example of Jesus is always to exceed, never merely to meet expectations. “But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles.” (Matthew 5:39-41) The Jesus method of conflict resolution is radically different from the world’s version. And the first step down this primrose path to peace must be rooted in gratitude. The verse above is followed by the instruction, “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44b). This would be impossible with a spirit of bitterness, recrimination, or resentment. We must first understand the degree to which we have been blessed, as a keen realization of such should astound us. The breadth of the world and all contained therein were created by a benevolent God and gifted to us. We have lifted not one finger, collectively over millennia, to create the bounty that we minute by minute enjoy. The oil we use for gas and innumerable other sundries was buried in the dirt long before we knew to look for it, or what it was capable of. The food we eat is derived from a rich ecosystem that even preceded man. The air we breathe is full of the necessary ingredients for life and is produced by the plant life that too was here before the first human footfall. Taking a “blessing inventory” is a great way to begin to understand gratitude, but beware of starting such a venture, as you may find it has no end.

We grasp that peacefulness is distinct from and preferable to conflict avoidance. That merely sidestepping trouble does not make peace. What we should also grasp is that peacemaking is an eternal mindset. Conflict, by definition, is temporary. None last. Even if the Hatfields still hate the McCoys, those individuals who had carried on the feud have passed and are either in the bliss of Heaven or….dealing with bigger problems. We are a temporary species on a temporary Earth dealing with our temporary struggles. It doesn’t diminish the struggle, but it should reorient our priority. Ilse brought up the issue of justice and the various ways it can be defined. We are solely limited to viewing the world through our own experiences, and though it is worthwhile to see through someone else’s eyes, our ability to do so is extraordinarily limited. We fill the gaps with assumptions and guesswork which is based, again, on our own limited experience. It is, understandably, difficult to break from this self-centered outlook, but that makes it all the more necessary. “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own?” (Luke 6:41) The issue of justice should be as far removed from us as possible. It becomes a “throne issue”, asking who is at the center. If you are, conflict becomes a contest and ends with a winner and a loser. If God is the center, conflict becomes a search for truth or solution which elevates all parties involved. Remember that this is an eternal mindset. How senseless would it be to have a conflict with those whom you will spend eternity with? And if you are in the midst of conflict with those who are lost, you now have a path toward a solution. Not to “win” but to share.

Another useful aspect of our study on Tuesday is that all of the advice, insight, and direction given in the video and our discussion are just as useful in addressing internal conflict. In fact, it is downright unrealistic to expect people to practice peacefulness with one another if they have storms raging inside of them. So much of what we see in our society and the way we treat one another can only be described as people spewing outward all of the turmoil and strife that seems to be ripping at their very souls. We are a people well and truly lost, and the frustration of the desperate and fruitless search outside of the Holy Spirit will manifest itself in truly awful ways. As we step out in gratitude, which requires complete humility, as we remove ourselves (wants, desires, preferences, goals, etc.) from the throne of our lives and place God in His proper seat, and as we view our situations in light of our eternal prepared place in His Heavenly Kingdom we can begin to restore the peace inside ourselves which is intended for us.

• “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27)

• “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

• “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)

• “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” (Isaiah 26:3)

• “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.” (2 Thessalonians 3:16)

Get the picture? “He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was calm. The men were amazed and asked, ‘What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!’” (Matthew 8:26-27) Are we really to believe that Jesus can be stymied by something as trivial as our anxieties if the literal winds cease at His command?

One final lesson we can learn from our Savior in handling the conflicts of this world, and it can be summed up in a single word. Endure. Our obedience is not to be contextual. We are not to be convenience-only Christians. “In this world you will have trouble.” as stated by our Savior above. We cannot give up our race because we expect God is waiting at the end of it, we know He takes every step directly beside us! And if God is right beside us, why give up? Conflict will plague the remainder of our days here. We should become accustomed to dealing with it. Wishing something away is useless once you realize that God has placed it in your path. Do note that Paul wrote above that God’s peace “transcends all understanding”, it’s a nice way of saying we won’t “get it”. It is entirely beyond us. And while we will never unravel the mysteries of His mind, we can depend entirely on His actions. His steadfastness, His overwhelming power, and most certainly His love. Conflict will be a part of our daily lives, so it should be no surprise to the fifteen of us who spoke up with a prayer request this Tuesday. Our “untitled” stage in life is full of inconsistency or instability on a variety of fronts. We lead lives rife with the potential for conflict, both with others and within. Resist the urge to flee from it. Embrace your role as a peacemaker. We will learn other “holy habits” in the next few weeks, and we even discussed a few of them; Lane mentioned holding one’s tongue, Ellie noted patience, and Chiba brought up praying before a meal. As many opportunities as there are for conflict, I’d argue there are even more opportunities to turn our thoughts, actions, habits, and so on over to God. Imagine a world where Christians didn’t flee from conflict but entered into it. Not with a desire to win, but to reconcile. I’d argue that the world is in desperate need of such behavior. What’s a peacemaker to do?

Jordan Williamson