17Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men.18If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.19Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord.
Here we have the posture that we as believers can possess as we seek to glorify God and display Christ's nature - we can be the people, who, instead of finding ourselves getting into conflict, are actively looking for ways to alleviate conflict. Yes, as humans, we are prone to be at odds with one another from time to time, but if we are devoted to walking in peace - with God and with others, He will give us the incredible ability to radiate the love of Christ in those difficult relationship situations.
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As believers in Christ, we have been entrusted with a message that is centered on peace - our God made peace with fallen humanity by sending His Son to die for us, and with that score settled and the penalty paid, He places us here to walk in His peace and to promote peace between individuals and groups. Here is what Hebrews 13 says:
20Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,21make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
The unrest in Ferguson, Missouri has been pronounced in the aftermath of the shooting death of 18-year-old Michael Brown last week. As WORLD reports, riots have erupted since Saturday, when police shot and killed Michael Brown. Police reports claim Brown struggled with the officers, while two eyewitnesses have said that Brown had his hands in the air when he was shot multiple times. In the following days, rioters looted and burned stores, confronted police in the streets, and demanded the name of the officer responsible for Brown’s death. Yesterday, it was announced that the Missouri State Highway Patrol will oversee security in Ferguson, a suburb of St. Louis. Gov. Jay Nixon announced the change in light of criticism that the St. Louis County Police Department has been overly confrontational with protesters.
In the middle of the turmoil, area churches have stepped forward to communicate an air of peace and service. WORLD interviewed Michelle Higgins, Worship and Outreach Coordinator at South City Church in St. Louis, who said the atmosphere completely changes as day turns to night. Higgins said even though the police are patient and speak politely, “their appearance is so daunting that it creates a tension that does not have to be there.” The night also brings a different type of protester, including frustrated young people from all over the St. Louis area who often ignore community leaders’pleas to keep the protests peaceful.
Pastor Rodrick Burton, an African-American who leads the New Northside Missionary Baptist Church, located minutes from Ferguson, said it’s disheartening to see young people who are looking for instant results take matters into their own hands. He's also discouraged to see how people are injecting inaccurate information and their own narratives into an already tragic case. For one, he said, unlike the claims of many reports, the northern suburb of Ferguson, which is two-thirds black and one-third white, actually has “pretty good race relations,” and he worries how the riots will affect the existing relationships.
Baptist Press reports that Missouri Baptists in the area say the tragedy has opened doors for proclaiming a message of reconciliation in Christ. For instance, First Baptist Church in Ferguson opened its doors on Aug. 13 for a citywide prayer service. First Baptist pastor Stoney Shaw said residents of Ferguson were joined by Missouri Baptists from nearby towns in praying for peace and unity. The pastor said the interracial prayer service exuded a spirit of reconciliation, with participants recognizing the need to love and understand one another.
The St. Louis Metro Baptist Association also organized an Aug. 13 prayer service hosted by Friendly Temple Missionary Baptist Church in North St. Louis. In addition to praying for Brown's family and for peace in Ferguson, director of missions Jim Breeden said they prayed that God would empower local Christians to transform the greater St. Louis area with the Gospel message.
Some Missouri Baptists have already displayed this message by helping to clean Ferguson storefronts that were damaged by looters in the aftermath of Brown's shooting.First Baptist of Ferguson issued a statement, which said, in part: "... we pledge to pray diligently for everyone involved...We ask that everyone join us in praying for peace and unity as we go through this difficult time together. And we stand ready to assist our community in any way possible to bring peace in the wake of this horrible tragedy."
A spirit of peace and reconciliation injected into turmoil and division - that's a meaningful picture of a key role of the church in our culture today. We are called to show people around us a better way - the way of God. I believe as followers of the Prince of Peace, who said, "Blessed are the peacemakers," we should be actively involved in helping to settle conflict - wherever we may be. That could be in the home, in the church, in the workplace, and wherever people are at odds. We can take that role as peacemakers very seriously.
This atmosphere of turmoil outside St. Louis represents an opportunity for God's people to reflect the nature of Christ. By committing to pray, and by standing ready to help, we communicate genuine love and concern, which can help settle differences, heal wounds, and transform attitudes. We can be challenged in our own lives to seek ways in which we can share the love of Christ, and in so doing, to promote tangible heart change by the power of God's Spirit.
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