The Beauty of the Ugly Violent Stuff

Tonight, I watch flashes of pyrotechnic light playing on the wonder filled face of my youngest son. As I look around, I see a darkened landscape belching out fountains of fire as far as I can see. I hear reports from cannons and rockets (near and far) as they launch and then deliver their celebratory payload to dazzled onlookers.

I also know that for some (particularly soldiers who have PTSD), these sound and sights of celebration can far too closely resemble the sights and sounds of war. I'm quite certain that the defenders of Ft. McHenry over two centuries ago were not exclaiming "ohh's" and "ahh's" as British rockets and bombs rained down on them that night. As they witnessed "the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air" from the receiving end, their cry was far more likely to be a prayer of the "God save us!" variety. Yet the American lawyer, Francis Scott Key, standing on the deck of a British ship some four miles away saw hope rising for his fledgling country through the horrors of that bombardment. Curious isn't it, that something so horrible as weapons of warfare can be transformed into symbols of celebration and hope?

I see this same odd notion in the words of the Apostle Paul, "But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ..."* The cross also was a horrible thing. It was the Roman executioners tool for the basest of criminals. It was not something one would naturally assume to be a source of "glory". Yet, there it is.

So if you wonder why the followers of Jesus talk so much about things like the "cross" and the "blood", here is your answer. We talk about those things because the most awful event of human history was also the event that made our salvation possible. Jesus, the sinless Son of God, died as a substitute to pay for the sins of anyone who will believe on him. If you are willing to turn from your sin and accept him as Savior, today can be your "independence day" on a whole new scale.

“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” - 2 Peter 3:9 KJV

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*Galatians 6:14a

Radical Teachings of Jesus Lesson # 7: Blessed are the Peacemakers

In Matthew 5 Jesus gives us a list of personal “attitudes” that will cause us to be “blessed” or “happy”. These are directly counter the usual humanistic way of thinking.

Radical Concept #7

"Blessed [are] the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God." [Matthew 5:9 KJV]

What does it mean to be a “peacemaker”? This is the only time in the New Testament that this word is used. Let’s explore the idea of “making peace” and how it labels us as “children of God.”

1. Is a peacemaker the same thing as a pacifist?
   1. Pacifist: a person who believes that war and violence are unjustifiable.

2. What is “peace”?
   1. Peace: Freedom from or the cessation of war or violence

3. Is it possible to have peace by suspending conflict or must the conflict come to an end in order for peace to exist?

4. Should I be willing to deny myself good things so that I can spare a conflict in a fellow believer’s conscience? See Romans 14:15-20

"Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another." [Romans 14:19 KJV]

5. Is a “peace-maker” fundamentally opposed to all conflict?

"Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but [rather] give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance [is] mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good." [Romans 12:17-21 KJV]

6. Is the Christian ever required to engage in conflict? If so when, how and for what purpose?

7. Questions to answer before seeking peace through conflict:
   1. Do I have the authority to engage in this conflict?
   2. What are my motives for engaging in this conflict?
   3. Have I tried to see the other side of this dispute?
   4. Have I exhausted all peaceful methods for resolution?
   5. Am I trying to do what only God can do?

8. Who is the greatest peacemaker?

9. What conflict did he resolve? Between whom?

"Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:" [Romans 5:1 KJV]

10. How did Jesus resolve the conflict between God and man?

11. Does Jesus continue today in this role?

"For [there is] one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time." [1 Timothy 2:5-6 KJV]

12. How can I apply this example to my life?

13. My greatest objective in any conflict should be to:
    1. Bring peace between the offended and offending parties,
    2. Bring peace between all parties and God.

14. As we imitate Jesus in his role as “mediator” we too will be known as the ____________ ___ ___________.

To continue to the next lesson, click HERE.

Thinking Clearly...

Odd, to me it seems, that my clearest thoughts and reasoning occur in that fragile real estate between consciousness and unconsciousness. The conscious mind is often cluttered by the weeds of distraction and the thoughts of sleep devolve into silliness.

Yet, somewhere between the two, is that thin beach where the distractions of the day play out and the silliness of dreams has not entered. It is there that the deep churnings of the mind and spirit bring good things to the shore and lay them at the edge of my consciousness.

I have found that I must scoop them up immediately. If I do not rouse and commit them to paper, they will be lost to the light of the morning. It is best that I close my eyes thinking of the things of God, and that I keep pen and pad near me as I sleep.

So, I sometimes spend a few minutes before I finally drift off, running from the beach to weeds trying to preserve the things that I find washing around in tidal pools of my mind. Then, with reluctance, I wade into the sea of sleep.

I just wish my rapid mid-night scrawl was a bit more legible.

"I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; For You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety." Psalm 4:8 nkjv