Chewymom

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I have this sticker on the back of my van, and let me tell you, it has generated a whole lot of questions in our town! Mostly people want to know what it means. Some aren’t even sure what it says.

When questioned, I have been quoting the verse, “If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.” from Romans 12:18. I think most people have been relieved. They feared I was trying to say that I embrace all three religions equally. Which I don’t. But I do embrace the idea that all three religions have a right to coexist, and that they should do so peacefully.

Just the other day I expressed this view to a man who cocked his head to the side and looked at me with a Christopher-Robin-gazing-at-Pooh-with-a-”Silly-Old-Bear” expression and said, “These groups have been fighting since the beginning of time.”

So there you have it. There has always been fighting, there always will be, so don’t hope for peace. Clearly I’m naive in my hope.

Although actually, my view goes beyond a hope. I think the entire chapter of Romans 12 gives the Christian the responsibility to work toward peace. Now, in our lifetime, we have seen that other religions seem to have a corner on the violence-market. And it is really hard to know what living at peace with all men might look like in the face of a group whose stated mission is to wipe out the infidel. But let me throw out a few ideas.

First, the way we vote certainly affects war and peace. It affects little things like decisions to invade a country based on shaky or false information. It affects who is in office and how sensitive they are to other cultures. It affects how our tax dollars are spent. And I’m not telling you how to vote, but I’m just saying that this is an issue that hopefully comes into play as you head into the voting booth.

Also, how would you react if a Muslim moved in next door to you? Would you embrace it? Would you be glad for the opportunity to get to know the person as an individual and about learning about his religion and culture? Would you immediately think, “Great! An opportunity to witness my faith to him and convert him!” Would you be afraid of how the person might influence your children? Would you wonder if he was secretly plotting to blow up your neighborhood or school?

I think living at peace with all men means that you embrace all religious views. Not that you believe all views, or agree with them. But that you are able to live side-by-side with people who differ from you. That you are able to be in relationship with them. That you can openly discuss your views together. It puts aside fear and allows people to be people. It shows respect for another person’s ideas, even if they are different than your own. And sure, you may believe that they are wrong or mislead. If you hold to religious views of any kind, you most likely will think that someone is wrong. But living at peace with all men–coexisting–means that you still respect the person enough to allow them the freedom to be different.

Two quotes to think about:

Romans 12:9-21
Love from the center of who you are; don’t fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle.

Don’t burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don’t quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality.

Bless your enemies; no cursing under your breath. Laugh with your happy friends when they’re happy; share tears when they’re down. Get along with each other; don’t be stuck-up. Make friends with nobodies; don’t be the great somebody.

Don’t hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you’ve got it in you, get along with everybody. Don’t insist on getting even; that’s not for you to do. “I’ll do the judging,” says God. “I’ll take care of it.”

Our Scriptures tell us that if you see your enemy hungry, go buy that person lunch, or if he’s thirsty, get him a drink. Your generosity will surprise him with goodness. Don’t let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good.

And then these lyrics by U2

Love and Peace
Lay down
Lay down
Lay your sweet lovely on the ground
Lay your love on the track
We´re gonna break the monster´s back
Yes we are…
Lay down your treasure
Lay it down now brother
You don´t have time
For a jealous lover

As you enter this life
I pray you depart
With a wrinkled face
And a brand new heart

I don´t know if I can take it
I´m not easy on my knees
Here´s my heart you can break it

I need some release, release, release

We need
Love and peace
Love and peace

Lay down
Lay down your guns
All your daughters of Zion
All your Abraham sons

I don´t know if I can make it
I´m not easy on my knees
Here´s my heart and you can break it
I need some release, release, release

We need
Love and peace
Love and peace

Baby don´t fight
We can talk this thing through
It´s not a big problem
It´s just me and you
You can call or I´ll phone
The TV is still on
But the sound is turned down
And the troops on the ground
Are about to dig in

And I wonder where is the love?
Where is the love?
Where is the love?
Where is the love?
Love and peace

This entry was posted on Tuesday, June 3rd, 2008 at 11:00 am and is filed under Biblical Thinking. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.