The Virtues of a Christian Community at Peace
If our Lord Jesus Christ is the sovereign Head of His body of people, His church, then it is wise for Christians to be in full subjection to Him who sits in the heavens and does as He pleases (Ps 115:3; 135:6). The author of Hebrews certainly warns us not to disobey God’s Word in unbelief. Elsewhere, the Apostle Paul admonishes the born again to walk in a manner worthy of our calling to be children of God (Eph 4:1; 1 Thess 2:12).
When believers in Jesus walk by the Spirit of Christ (Gal 5:16, 25), the fruit of the Spirit is manifest in their lives (Gal 5:22–23). This production by the Holy Spirit stands in stark contrast with the deeds of the flesh. Whereas, the world is marked by discord, dissensions, and factions, the indwelling Spirit brings peace, love, and unity.
In reconciling His chosen people to Himself, God has made peace with those to whom He has given His Holy Spirit. The Spirit-filled preacher preaches the Gospel of peace with God; and sinners are called to repent and believe the terms of peace with God. Trusting in the Person and work of the Prince of peace, we have peace with the God of peace (1 Thess 5:23).
Having peace with God came at the price of Christ’s precious blood shed on the cross of Calvary (Rom 5:8; 1 Pet 1:19). The Bible is clear that we were once in the camp of the sons of disobedience as children of wrath (Eph 2:2–3). God made peace with those who were formerly at enmity with Him, by sending Christ to redeem us, and then sending the Holy Spirit to regenerate us. Now at peace with God, His command is for His elect redeemed to be at peace with one another.
How elder/pastors are treated by a local congregation and how a congregation is treated by elder/pastors sets the tone for other interpersonal relationships within the body of Christ (1 Thess 5:12–13). Jesus prayed for unity in the church (Jn 17); and the “one another” passages in the New Testament help us to practice those acts that help our unity in fellowship. Christians are to be godly, holy, and self-controlled. Unruly attitudes and behavior are frowned upon because they poorly represent our beautiful Savior. Members are warned by God’s Word to be morally excellent, pure, and right. We are our brother’s keeper, seeking everyone’s good.
Sin and circumstances can sink a believer into depression. When we encourage the fainthearted, it is motivated by love. The goal is to see our downtrodden brethren restored to a better mental and emotional state. Brotherly kindness does wonders in this regard. One patiently ministers his or her knowledge of God’s Word to lift the other back to the joy of the Lord.
Although the Bible encourages God’s people to be strong, we are often weak. We must be diligent to hold firm to the faith granted us by God’s grace. Our goal is to persevere to the end. Therefore, Christians pray without ceasing (1 Thess 5:18), knowing that we have a Helper in the Holy Spirit.
In loving good and doing good, those who belong to Christ must not seek revenge against those who do them wrong. It is prudent to always remain temperate, gentle, and peaceable. This is sensible considering the unpredictability of other people. Dignified people build and maintain a good reputation for not being quick tempered. Rather, as those who are reasonable and respectable, the beloved of God know that God is already working all things for their good (Rom 8:28).
The devout must be free from the love of money and other vices that prove to be a snare from the devil. Lust for people and things invites all kinds of trouble. Typically, addictions are the product of a selfish will. The flesh is never satisfied, however. Corruption ensues and bad company does not help those who are rebellious.
People being made holy, as vessels of mercy en route to glory, are kind, humble, and full of mercy. They love purity and lament hypocrisy. The just and honorable things are excellent to them. It is the wisdom and power of God that build the faithful up into spiritual maturity.
The end goal is for every saint to be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ (Rom 8:29). This means that at the judgment seat of Christ, God’s holy ones will indeed be holy and blameless before Him (Eph 1:5; 5:27; Col 1:22). In this, we put no confidence in the flesh (Phil 3:3), nor do we trust in our works of the Law to profit us in the realm of justification (Rom 3:20; Gal 2:16; 3:2, 5, 10).
The Father has chosen us for salvation; the Son has justified us by His shed blood; and the sanctifying work of the Spirit is our blessed assurance that He who began a good work in us will bring it to completion (Phil 1:6). Our confidence in so great a salvation is in our Triune God to accomplish all that concerns us (Ps 57:2; 138:8).
With our righteousness secure and a sure future, Christians live by faith in the steadfastness of hope. Jesus Christ is our only hope (1 Tim 1:1); and our ambition is to please Him (2 Cor 5:9). We do that by faith in the Son of God who loved us and gave Himself for us (Heb 11:6).
With all these blessings and benefits in Christ Jesus what kind of people should we be? How should we live in relation to our brethren? Truly, we have every reason to be at peace with all men (Rom 12:18), even pursuing peace and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord (Heb 12:14). In Christ, we have peace (Jn 16:33), so let us be peacemakers on the path of peace.
David Norczyk
Spokane Valley, Washington
October 3, 2023
