It is election time again, and I find myself frustrated by the prevalence of division, hatred, and strife, not just in the world in general, but in my local community. How should scripture guide me in selecting a representative who will help bring God’s Kingdom to fruition not just where I live but between countries and cultures? I am reminded of a trite, but true, bumper sticker that proclaims: “no Jesus, no peace. Know Jesus, know Peace!”
Jesus wants every believer to be a peacemaker. While many folk think world peace depends entirely upon governments, treaties, or military strength, Scripture teaches that peace begins quietly in the lives of ordinary people who choose to live according to the Spirit of God. A single Jesus follower committed to love, forgiveness, justice, and reconciliation can have a powerful influence upon families, communities, churches, and even nations. Of course, the local peacemaker may never become famous, but his or her faithful witness will reflect the character of Christ and spread peace in ways that reach far beyond what can immediately be seen.
Jesus said, “God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God” (Matthew 5:9 NLT). Peacemaking is not passive. It requires courage, humility, patience, and spiritual maturity. We are not merely called to avoid conflict; we are called to bring healing where division exists. In neighborhoods filled with anger, fear, prejudice, or violence, we can become a calming and reconciling presence through Christlike love.
A peacemaker begins by cultivating peace within his or her own heart. Scripture teaches that outward conflict grows from inward sin. James asked, “What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don’t they come from the evil desires at war within you?” (James 4:1 NLT). Pride, jealousy, selfish ambition, and bitterness destroy relationships and communities. A Christian who daily surrenders these attitudes to God becomes an instrument through which the Holy Spirit can work. Paul wrote, “Let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes” (Ephesians 4:23 NLT). True peace begins when the heart is transformed by the grace of God.
The influence of a peacemaker is powerful in ordinary relationships. In homes where tensions run high, a gentle word can prevent an argument from becoming destructive. Proverbs teaches, “A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare” (Proverbs 15:1 NLT). In everyday life we can refuse gossip, reject hatred, and encourage understanding. A Jesus follower seeks reconciliation rather than revenge and healing rather than division.
However, peacemaking is not the same as pacifism. Scripture doesn’t teach us to ignore evil, tolerate injustice, or refuse all forms of lawful protection. True peacemaking sometimes requires courageously confronting wrongdoing in order to preserve justice and protect the vulnerable. Romans 13 teaches that governing authorities are established by God to restrain evil and uphold order. Paul wrote that rulers “are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong” (Romans 13:4 NLT). We must recognize that peace is more than the absence of conflict; it is the presence of righteousness, justice, and moral order.
Jesus Himself demonstrated both gentleness and moral courage. He welcomed children, healed the suffering, and forgave sinners, but He also confronted hypocrisy and cleansed the temple when corruption dishonored God (John 2:13–17). Biblical peacemaking seeks reconciliation whenever possible, but it does not surrender truth or permit oppression to flourish unchecked. As Isaiah declared, “Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed” (Isaiah 1:17 NLT). We should be supporting efforts that defend human dignity, restrain violence, and uphold justice within society.
This should also influence how we participate in public life and choose political representatives. Christians cannot expect perfect leaders, but they should prayerfully consider whether candidates demonstrate wisdom, integrity, restraint, compassion, and a genuine desire for justice and peace. A leader who stirs hatred, division, corruption, or reckless violence undermines the kind of peace Scripture commends. Proverbs warns, “When the godly are in authority, the people rejoice. But when the wicked are in power, they groan” (Proverbs 29:2 NLT).
We should not evaluate potential leaders by promises of prosperity or political power, but by whether their policies and character encourage justice, protect the innocent, preserve order, and promote reconciliation rather than chaos. Peacemaking in society depends upon leaders who exercise authority with humility, wisdom, and moral responsibility. We have an obligation to pray for leaders, participate thoughtfully in civic life, and seek the welfare of our communities. Jeremiah told the exiles in Babylon, “Work for the peace and prosperity of the city where I sent you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, for its welfare will determine your welfare” (Jeremiah 29:7 NLT).
The local peacemaker serves others with compassion and practical love. Many social conflicts grow from poverty, loneliness, injustice, and despair. We can bring peace by caring for the vulnerable, helping struggling families, visiting the lonely, feeding the hungry, and encouraging the discouraged. Isaiah described the kind of life God desires: “Share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless. Give clothes to those who need them” (Isaiah 58:7 NLT). Such acts of mercy may appear small, but they create ripples of hope throughout communities.
Most importantly, the local peacemaker points others to Jesus, the true source of lasting peace. Human efforts alone cannot heal the brokenness of the world because humanity’s deepest problem is separation from God. As Paul wrote, “For God in all His fullness was pleased to live in Christ, and through Him God reconciled everything to Himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ’s blood on the cross” (Colossians 1:19–20 NLT). So, “Know Jesus, know Peace!”
The power of the local peacemaker should never be underestimated. The world celebrates power, wealth, and influence, but God works mightily through those who quietly pursue peace, justice, mercy, and truth. We have opportunities each day to encourage unity, practice forgiveness, speak truth with love, and serve others in humility. In doing so, we become reflections of Christ Himself, “for He Himself has brought peace to us” (Ephesians 2:14 NLT).
I am always intrigued that the Hebrew word for “peace” is “Shalom” and is a verb! It is a “doing” word! Let’s choose to do peace through Jesus!
Blessings on you and yours, Jim Black
P.S. if you’d like to read previous ruminations of mine they can be found at https://blog.salvationarmyconcordca.org