Network Discipling Ministries

JOIN THE PEACECORP

Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil . . . and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace – Ephesians 6:12, 15

Read First: Matthew 5:9

Every year scores of people volunteer their services to the Peace Corps for a variety of reasons—future job opportunities, belief in the cause of peace advocacy, international travel, learn new language(s), international community service, etc. This humanitarian agency was established by President John F. Kennedy and the act of Congress in 1961, to serve as a bastion of peace and goodwill from the United States of America to people of all nations around the world. The reason for its establishment was to boost the global image of America after World War II.

The Bible also portrays our heavenly Father as the God of peace for a world in turmoil and gut-wrenching pain (Romans 15:33; 16:20; Philippians 4:9; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; Hebrews 13:20). In fact, Paul calls Him, in 1 Thessalonians 5:23 the very God of peace—meaning, the one and only God of peace. However, God’s gift of peach—Jesus—was not an act to boost His image, but to save His world that became separated from Him through sin. In his letter to the Christians in Corinth, Paul explains God’s actions in this way:

¹⁸All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation; ¹⁹that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us. ²⁰So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

2 Corinthians 5:18-20, NRSV

Later, Paul told the Ephesians believers that Jesus was their bridge of peace who has brought about reconciliation between God and estranged humanity through the blood of His cross (read Ephesians 2:13-20).

At the very heart of the peace process between God and sinners is this very intrinsic truth: the reconciled ones have been given a ministry of reconciliation. They are Christ’s ambassador, acting in His place, to continue His kingdom work of reconciling—making peace between—other lost sinners to God. All God’s children will have His disposition of peacefulness. They are peacemakers, just like their Father. Jesus, Himself expressed this truth during His kingdom message on the Mount. He said

⁴³Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. ⁴⁴But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; ⁴⁵That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven . . .

Matthew 5:43-45

All those who sincerely strive for the cause of peace in this world have some element of the Father’s character in them; but it is only those who possess the spirit of the life of the Father—made possible through their faith in the cross of the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ—are truly able to be God’s emissaries of peace in the world. They are the true peacemakers, who are called blessed in the kingdom of God, and whose feet are shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace (Ephesians 6:15).

The King is still enlisting Peace Corps volunteers. An eternity of endless opportunities awaits all who choose to sign up. Come! Join God’s Peace Corps now!