Torch, Fall 1992

on line With ~u~ President Cedarville College Leaders In Peacemaking 7 he world is looking for peace. It is found in only two places. One is in heaven and the other is in the believer's heart. Jesus Christ is in both places. Christians are supposed to have a handle on peace. Our God is described in Hebrews 13:20 as "the God of peace that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus Christ." Though we warred against Him in our sinful, lost state, He took the initiative to reconcile us unto Himself through the gift of His Son, the Prince of Peace. Paul said in Colossians 1:20 that Christ has made peace through the blood of His cross. Ephesians emphatically states, "For He is our peace." We are no longer at war with God for "we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." No wonder our Lord's Sermon on the Mount commissions us as peacemakers for we are called the children of God (Matthew 5:9). How are we progressing with our assignment as peacemakers? I want to share my heart and speak plainly to every Christian leader. If we are leaders, we are teachers-in our 2 Torch homes, in our churches, in our schools, in the workplace. What are our spouses, children, students, church members, and employees learning from us about being peacemakers? Do they see us looking for negative points in others to make war? Or rather do we channel our energy toward recognizing positive points in people in order to make peace and to develop friendships? Now this has nothing to do with "appeasement" at the expense of truth. This is about living in peace (2 Corinthians 13:11); living in peace with all men (Romans 12:18); and being at peace among ourselves (1Thessalonians5:13) . Paul challenged Timothy to pray "for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty" (1 Timothy 2:2). All government officials are not against Christianity. They are not necessarily mapping out a strategy to destroy us, our families, our schools, and our churches. Let us treat them with a Christ-honoring spirit with the possibility that we may get an opportunity to communicate our convictions. Our students are watching! In the recent national election we had an opportunity to campaign, to debate, and to vote. The election is over. Psalm 75:6-7 tells us that God puts one down and promotes another. The Sovereign One is in control. Be at peace. He is! Pray for those who lead us! All Christians who differ with us on minor issues are not our enemies or enemies of the gospel. They may not do things the way we do, have the same friends, preach in the same places, use the same translation, or listen to the same music. But can we not give them the freedom to practice their faith without our exposing their every difference in the latest "Christian scandal sheet?" Let's model Paul the peacemaker and "rejoice that Christ is preached." Our students are watching! All accounts of what brothers and sisters in the faith have done or said are not necessarily true. If they are, as David said, "Tell it not in Gath" (2 Samuel 1:20). David did not want the outside world to rejoice in Israel's problems. Do not let the world hear rumors from us. They probably are not true anyway. Let's give one another the benefit of trust. Recently, in response to an accusation against someone, I defended the accused. To this day I do not know the truth of the matter, but I presume innocence until facts prove otherwise. Over 2,150 students are a part of our Cedarville College family this fall quarter. I want them to learn from us as trustees, administrators, faculty, and staff how to be biblical peacemakers. Peacemakers cannot be self-centered and self-serving. Nor are they vindictive and unforgiving. Peacemakers have experienced the forgiveness of the God of peace and are intent on taking the message of the Prince of Peace to a warring world. Our students are watching, and so is a troubled world!