For peace !

Romans 12:17-21 For peace
Lots of people were killed in New York because of the terrorist attack on September 11. America declared war against them. I saw a fable in the Christian magazine named 'Shinanggae'.
『A hungry hyena preyed on a baby lion while the father lion was asleep. When the father lion woke up, he roared madly. All of the animals were terrified at the lion's roaring.
The lion assembled all of the animals to try to kill all of the hyenas. The lion told them to help to kill all the hyenas. All of the animals got angry about what would happen in the future.
Their worry was that the peace of the prairie would be broken. But no animal could disagree against the lion. So they decided to side with the lion.
But an old-aged elephant visited the lion, and advised him, "The hyena must be punished. But violence brings another violence. Violence is not the way to establish peace in the prairie."
But the lion got angry with the elephant. So the lion said to the elephant, "Nonviolence is the act of the weak herbivorous animals. If I remain silent in this case, I am no longer lion nor the king of the animals."
But the elephant said to him again, "True courage is not to exercise violence but to restrain one's anger. If you so, all of the animals will respect you as the king of the animals."
The lion accepted the elephant's advice. So the lion could calm down. But the hyena laughed at the lion. And the hyena spread a rumour that the lion is not the brave animal but a weak and coward animal. And the hyena bragged of his bravery that he does not fear even death.
Then the old-aged elephant visited the hyena. and he trampled down the hyena with his gigantic foot, and said, "Listen carefully ! True bravery is not to fear death but to respect other's life."
Therefore peace was brought again in the prairie. Peace is established by the person who has true courage that is to restrain his anger.
Brothers and sisters, all of the people want peace. But there are always fights and wars in the world. Why ? It's because the way of establishing peace is different from God's way.
Many say, "Today I make war for the future's peace." But peace has nothing to do with these persons. But if you say, "Today I forgive, and I sacrifice myself for the future's peace.", then peace is yours today and tomorrow.
Let's see today's world. There are fights in the family, in the society, in the nation, and in the world. Why ? Is it because they hate peace ? No, all of the people love peace, and shout for peace.
They say, "Peace is good !" But the reason that peace has not established on the earth is that their way of establishing peace is wrong.
Especially Jews and Arabs have been fighting for a long time. These two peoples are stepbrothers. Their ancestor is Abraham. But why do they fight against each other ?
And as you know in the history, the war 'Crusade' took place because of the religions. Both of them shouted for peace. They loved peace.
But peace was not brought to them because they chose the wrong way that is war. They misunderstood that fighting is the true courage and the way to establish peace.
But don't forget. If we choose war for peace, it is the repetition of the tragic history, and peace is not established on the earth.
But if we are patient and sacrifice ourselves, peace is established on the earth. Furthermore if we tolerate others and other's religions and even our enemies, peace is ours.
Bible says about this, "You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven." (
Matthew 5:38-45)
In the book of Acts, there is a deacon named 'Stephen'. He preached the gospel with power and miraculous signs. But Jewish people persecuted him and stoned him to the death.
At the time of death, what did he say ? He did not say like this, "Lord, return this to my enemy." But he fell on his knees and cried out, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." (Acts 7:60)
When Stephen was stoned by them, a young man Saul sided against Stephen. And he severely persecuted the church and the saints in Jerusalem. But all of sudden he was changed to the great servant of God.
How come ? Don't you think God heard the prayer of Stephen for them, so that God changed the persecutor Saul to the great apostle Paul ?
If Stephen did not pray the prayer of peace but prayer of retaliation, he would not be a great martyr but a narrow-mined man only.
Of course, prayer of peace is not easy for us especially when we and our family are hurt directly by others. But the bible says, "Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing." (1 Peter 3:9)
"Make every effort to live in peace with all men, without this no one will see the Lord." (Hebrews 12:14) "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." (Romans 12:18) "God is the God of peace." (1 Cor 14:33)
It means that we have been called by God in order not to retaliate others but to love even our enemies and pray for our persecutors. If we pursue peace, we can meet God and be blessed by God.
Therefore the bible says, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God." (Matthew 5:9) "There is joy for those who promote peace." (Proverbs 12:20) "There is a future for the man of peace." (Psalms 37:37)
Brothers and sisters, are you a real child of God ? If so, follow peace, and be peacemaker, so that you may be praised by the Lord, "Well done !", and you may enjoy peace forever. God wants to give peace to the peacemakers.
When we live in this foreign country, we are likely to fight, and not to follow peace. But let's follow peace to the end. And let's sing the song of peace in the kingdom of peace forever. Amen !