Are We Offering Peace?

“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”

(Micah 6:8, ESV)

Our levels of frustration and exhaustion are high these days – not only personally and locally but also provincially and nationally.  While some confidently express opinion, others feel a need to defend.  While some are sure of their way of handling the issues of life, others are left paralyzed by questions and insecurities.  While some are on one side of an issue, others are on the other side.

These are difficult times, and so I call us to grace and mercy, love and peace.  The Bible says we are all sinful apart from God, and so we are dependent upon His mercy; motivated by love, He mercifully draws us to Himself.  He serves us even though we are undeserving.  He makes the way of salvation available to us even though we keep stumbling in our faith.  He continues to love us even when we forget to love in return.

Stories like the one in Luke 7 have been coming to mind as of late.  There was a lady who lived a sin-filled life; outwardly she was stained, and the religious of the day avoided and judged her, rejecting her.  But she was drawn to Jesus.  She came to Him not for a miracle or for special attention but for forgiveness.  She came acknowledging Him as Lord.  She came repentant and humble.

Jesus could have asked her to come back later but instead received her fully.  He served her as she served Him.  He met her repentance with forgiveness.  She did not deserve it, but He reached out to her, touched her, blessed her, and even drew attention to the depth of her faith and reality of her salvation.

All too often lately, I observe many who are more like Simon the Pharisee – judging others because their choices and experiences are different than ours.  Too many are more committed to being right in their opinions than to serving others.  We are letting political, social, and health issues divide us instead of coming together within them.

Micah 6.8 says, “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”  This is a key verse we often turn to as it summarizes so succinctly who God is and how we are to live under Him.  The key descriptors of our love for God / of our new life in Christ is justice, kindness, and humility.  These are words of service and care for others; they focus us on serving others ahead of ourselves.

Jesus also calls us to this, summarizing the entire Law of God into the two great commandments – that of loving God first and foremost, and translating that love for Him into an enduring serving love for our neighbour (regardless of their race, background, lifestyle, or choices).

We are called to be gracious – to serve all others who cross our path.  We are called to be merciful – that even when we disagree or struggle with another, we continue to approach them with a servant heart.  We are called to be loving – that we work at peace-filled relationships, always valuing the person ahead of the issue.

To this sinful woman in Luke 7, who anointed Jesus as her Lord and Saviour, His words were this – ““Your sins are forgiven.” “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”” (Luke 7:48–50, ESV)  

Let us be like Jesus, acknowledging faith, offering forgiveness and peace.