The Illusion of Peace at the Expense of Truth

Jeremiah 6:13-15: "From the least to the greatest, all are greedy for gain; prophets and priests alike, all practice deceit. They dress the wound of my people as though it were not serious. 'Peace, peace,' they say, when there is no peace. Are they ashamed of their loathsome conduct? No, they have no shame at all; they do not even know how to blush. So they will fall among the fallen; they will be brought down when I punish them," says the LORD.

Husbands and wives do it, businesses do it, churches do it, politicians do it, and the Nobel Peace Prize Committee does it. “Do what?” you say. We fail to discuss or confront thorny issues while portraying an illusion of peace. If we don’t honestly address certain issues in our relationships, we can continue to run the charade called the illusion of peace.

President Obama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize much to the surprise of President Obama and almost everyone else. To his credit, he seemed uneasy with the whole thing. The Nobel Peace Prize winner supports abortion on demand, a crime of violence perpetrated upon the most innocent and helpless of the world. Let’s pursue peace but let’s have the honesty to tell ourselves the truth. We as Christians can no longer remain quiet on these issues. Many times we as Christians would rather hide behind the illusion of propriety (be seen but not heard; don’t rock the boat; we’re not supposed to be political). We also like the illusion of peace; we’d rather embrace the illusion of peace than address the harsh reality of the truth of abortion on demand.

Jesus says in Matthew 5:9, “Blessed are the peacemakers…” We are to live with a peaceable disposition to all. Romans 12:18 says: “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” We are to demonstrate a strong affection for peace. The Bible also says “in the last days there will be wars and rumors of wars” (Luke 2:14). Yes, wars will never go away until Jesus returns to establish His kingdom. Peace will never be found at a negotiating table in Paris or Oslo. True peace will only come when Christ returns. Yet we must have a peaceable disposition to all people.

You may say, “Jerry, you’re talking’ out of both sides of your mouth.” One place you tell us to be peaceable and in another place we’re to rock the boat.” For a moment do not confuse complacency with peace. We like being complacent; it’s pleasurable and convenient. Peace usually costs us something. We will not be held innocent for our complacency. Proverbs 24:11-12 says: "Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter. If you say, 'But we knew nothing about this,' does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who guards your life know it? Will he not repay each person according to what he has done?" No illusion here.

In his commentary on Matthew 5:9 ("Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God") Matthew Henry says in part “Since God has declared himself reconcilable to us all, he will not own those for his children who are implacable (unmoved) in their enmity (hatred) to one another; for if the peace-makers are blessed, woe to the peace-breakers!”

The prophet Isaiah wrote the inspired word of God in Isaiah 5:20, “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.”

The world loves a lie as long as it portrays the illusion of peace and furthers a larger agenda. It is fashionable in the elite circles of Europe to give President Obama the Nobel Peace Prize and all the while ignoring the truth of his support of abortion, a violence perpetrated upon the most innocent of us while they smugly enjoy the illusion of peace. How can we ignore this when President Obama, a professing Christian, supports and encourages these despicable acts of violence? Remember, no matter how despicable the acts of sin, the road back to God the Father is covered with Christ’s sin destroying, forgiving, and restoring blood.

God help us! Forgive us, for we are in deep trouble. Amen.