Devoted to the Propagation and Defense of New Testament Christianity
VOLUME 22
March 25, 1971
NUMBER 45, PAGE 3

Peace

Edgar Furr

Peace is something that all the world is interested in but few are interested in doing anything about. Jesus said, "Blessed are the peacemakers;" Matt. 5:9. Paul said, "So then, let us follow after things which make for peace," Rom. 14:19. Peace, like so many things in life, everyone would like to enjoy but few are willing to pay the price. The world today is in a pretty bad condition and everyone is wanting peace, but the news shows that it isn't peace most want, it is conquest, power, and rule. The Pope, who rules over his 160 acre republic known as the Vatican, runs around holding up his hands as if he is surrendering and clamors for peace. The only thing he knows to say (that one can understand) is, "Peace!" It's quite a peculiar thing about this character; he and his little republic have done much to cause wars and keep wars going, while putting on a hypocrite front saying, "Peace!" The history books are filled with wars they have started, promoted and financed. They would like to have all history books changed, rewritten, to put them in a more favorable light. The Catholic churches are nothing more than pick-up stations for money that pours into the Vatican which has more yellow gold than the republic of France. They have their finger in every part of the economy of Italy and all over the world. They have a good war going in Ireland that they seem to want to shut down, but do not.

Richards Encyclopedia, Vol. 5, Page 409 reports, "These wars between Roman (Catholic) and Orthodox (Greek Catholic) Christians came to a terrible climax in 1204 when the knights of the Fourth Crusade took and sacked Constantinople. The crusades had become an old story by this time, and the Fourth Crusade was really little more than a maurading expedition aimed fully as much against the Orthodox Christians as against the Moslem Turks. And for willful destruction and brute cruelty this sacking of Constantinople is one of the horrors of history. Thousands were slaughtered in cold blood, churches were desecrated, priceless libraries were burned in campfires..."

In the beginning of World War II, I saw a news film in which the Pope gave sanction to Mussolini to go down and destroy the weak nation of Ethopia. Something more than "Peace Talk" is going to have to come forth before the world can trust this ruthless bunch. John the Baptist said, "Bring forth therefore fruit worthy of repentance," Matt. 3:8.

Much of the world today is really not interested in peace; war has become a way of life to many nations as the only means of prosperity they have. If more wars get American involvement, there can be more American dollars spent there. Many of our land fear losing profits, if peace can be seen in the near future.

In spite of all the horrors of war, the troubled world and the unwillingness of many nations to talk peace; there is one peace we can all enjoy if we are willing to pay for it. Paul said, "Be at peace among yourselves," I Thess. 5:13. In writing to Timothy he said, "But flee youthful lusts, and follow after righteousness, faith, love, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart," 2 Tim. 2:22. All this does not come without effort on our part. We have to make sure that we are willing to comply with the Lord's will to bring about this peace. Paul, to the church in Colossae said, "And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to the which also ye were called in one body; and be ye thankful," Col. 3:15. The warring bodies of religions are not in one body, therefore, no peace prevails. Are we willing to pay the price — give up denominational doctrines that destroy peace in religion? The Christian shows that "the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace. . ." Gal. 5:22, and one who had made peace with God has something priceless to hold. To the Philippians Paul said, "and the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus." Phil. 4:7. The Christian by himself cannot change the course of the whole world nor the records of past history; but one thing for sure, he can be a peacemaker; have the peace that passeth all understanding, bear the fruit of the Spirit, which is peace; then it can be said of him that he is a peacemaker.

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