James 3.16-18
“For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”
Yesterday our nation celebrated July 4th, 2021. Reflecting on the state of our nation, it must be recognized—with great sadness and growling concern— that we are a nation in conflict. Our national unity is eroding, and it is eroding quickly.
Americans are, however, united on this: They are sick and tired of being so divided.
The divisive and hostile national debate over just about everything has convinced many Americans that the country is heading in the wrong direction. A Public Agenda/USA TODAY poll reveals both the depth and extent of our division.
By overwhelming margins, those surveyed said national leaders, social media, and the news media have exaggerated and inflamed the division, often for their own benefit and to the detriment of ordinary citizens. More than nine of 10 – about as close to unanimity as a national poll usually reaches – said it’s important for the United States to take active steps to address and reduce the toxic divisiveness.
Four in 10 Republicans and nearly half of Democrats said they would be tempted to vote for the opposing party’s nominee if he or she had a vision and strategy for unifying the country. Nine in 10 said it’s important to them that the candidate they vote for “actively works toward unifying the country and making it less divisive.”
Even so, nearly three in four said they saw more agreement among the American people than the news media and political leaders often portray. Only one in 10 said the problem was that Americans had too many fundamental disagreements and conflicting values. The bigger problem, according to more than four in 10, was that people didn’t know how to talk about conflicts in a constructive way.
The difficulty in having a constructive conversation about disagreements is driven from the top down, most said. By 10-1, national political leaders are seen as promoting a mostly destructive and hostile public debate.
In all, 78% said national political leaders promoted a mostly destructive public debate; 74% said that about social media; 59% about journalism and the news media.
It is into this cultural conflict that the Lord calls his people to “walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4.1-3)
Yes, this passage is addressed to unity within the Church. And yes, this is where healing and unity must begin and from which it must be cultivated. The world does not have a solution for the division and conflict our nation is experiencing.
But Jesus does.
The Church is the body of Christ in the world. We are called to be light in the midst of the darkness and salt in the midst of the decay. We are sent by Jesus into a fallen world to be agents of hope.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God,” Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount. The word “make” in the term “peacemakers” comes from the Greek verb that means “to do” or “to create.” It is a word bursting with energy. It mandates action and initiative. Someone has to bring the combatants to the table and give them a reason to put down their arms.
Note that Jesus did not say “Blessed are the peacewishers or the peacehopers or the peacedreamers or the peacelovers or the peacetalkers.” Peace never happens by chance. It must be made. Peacemakera are not passive. They take the initiative.
A peacemaker describes one who actively pursues peace. They don’t avoid difficult conversations; they aren’t merely seeking to appease the warring parties; they aren’t trying to accommodate everyone. Peacemakers run toward the problems, not away from them.
The task of peacemaking will be neither easy nor comfortable. It will be messy. Very messy. Nonetheless, it is our calling. It is our sacred duty.
Here, again, is James 3.16-18: “For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”
