Pursuing the Ways of Peace

The peace of God's people goes far beyond a refusal to engage in warfare.  Though they are found in more than 230 lands and represent countless languages and cultures, they enjoy peace with one another. In them is found a modern fulfillment of the words of Jesus, who said to his disciples in the first century:  "By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love among yourselves."  (John  13:35)  Christians today are "peacemakers."  (Matthew 5:9)  They "seek peace and pursue it."  (1 Peter 3:11) Sustaining them is Jehovah, "the God who gives peace." -Romans 15:33.

There are dramatic examples of those who have learned to be peacemakers.  A you man writes of his early life:  "Hard experience taught me how to defend myself.  It made me tough and angry about life. I would always end up in fights.  Each day, I would fight a different kid in the neighborhood, sometimes with fists, sometimes with rocks or bottles. I grew up being very violent."  Eventually, however, he responded to the invitation to go to "the mountain of the house of Jehovah."  He learned God's ways and became a peaceable servant of God.

Most of Jehovah's servants do not come from such a violent background.  Still, even in relatively small things-acts of kindness, forgiveness, and empathy-they strive to promote peace with others.  Although imperfect, they endeavor to apply the Bible's counsel to "continue putting up with one another and forgiving one another freely if anyone has a cause for complaint against another." -Colossians 3:13.

Next time: A Future of Peace

From the Book Isaiah's Prophecy Light for all Mankind