Berean Fact Sheet Number 013

This Fact Sheet is best viewed in Times New Roman font. It is also available in PDF format. For more information, click here.

“If Possible…be at Peace”
Copyright © March 2003 by Larry G. Overton

These are tumultuous times. Just days ago, our nation went to war, despite the objections raised by various world leaders in the United Nations. The bombing of Baghdad has been displayed on live television reports. Both soldiers of coalition forces and reporters have already encountered attacks by the enemy, in the form of gunfire, of grenades and car bombs. And there have already been casualties among both soldiers and reporters.

What’s more, American citizens have taken to the streets in protest of the war in the Gulf. Protests were staged before the conflict actually began, but a minority of discontents has continued to protest, even while our troops are risking their lives in this conflict. These angry mobs have in a number of cases broken the law and turned violent, ironically in the name of “peace.”

In light of all of this, what is a Christian to do? Of those professing faith in Christ, what should the proper response be to all of this unrest and conflict? In the final analysis, the answer is clear. For the Christian, the issue plays itself out on two levels: the personal and the governmental. The apostle Paul, in his letter to the Romans, addressed the issue of personally taking revenge, of repaying evil for evil. Let’s consider for a moment the words he was inspired to write on this subject.

17 Repay no one evil for evil, taking thought beforehand good things in the presence of all men. 18 If possible, so far as what proceeds from you, be at peace with all men, 19 not avenging yourselves, my loved ones, but rather give place to the wrath, for it has been written, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 Rather, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him drink; for in doing this, you will heap coals of fire upon his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but rather overcome evil with good. [Romans 12:17-21, LGO]

This admonition is clear. Christians are not to repay evil for evil. They are, to the best of their ability, to live at peace with all men. In cases where they have been wronged, they are to refrain from avenging themselves, but instead leave it in God’s hands to execute His wrath and judgment in His time and in His way. Paul even quotes from the Hebrew Scriptures as a means of confirming his inspired admonition. The words “Vengeance is mine; I will repay,” introduced by the standard Scripture quotation formula “it has been written,” are taken from Deuteronomy 32:35. Furthermore, the Christian is instructed to take care of the needs of his enemy. This also is a Scripture quotation, this time from Proverbs 25:21-22. And in so doing, the believer is to overcome evil with good.

Does this mean that Christians must be opposed to war at any and all costs, no matter what the circumstances? Do Paul’s admonitions to live at peace with all men prohibit us from supporting war efforts such as the one currently facing our nation? That I can answer with just one word: “No.”

First of all, consider carefully what Paul is actually saying in the above verses, particularly verse 18: “ If possible, so far as what proceeds from you, be at peace with all men.” Note two very important conditions stated in this verse: “If possible…” and “ … so far as what proceeds from you...”

Christians are responsible to do all that they can to live at peace with all men, but their responsibility is only for their part, for “what proceeds from” them. The truth of the matter is that even on a personal level it is not always possible to be at peace with others. All the pacifists in the world won’t succeed in making Saddam Hussein a man of peace.

Remember, too, that this issue works on two different levels, the personal and the governmental. The Scriptures speak to both sides of this controversial coin. And when men like Saddam Hussein arise, it is at the level of government that such problems are confronted.

Paul addressed both of these levels in the very same letter to the Romans, in the very same context. The apostle Paul did not stop with what we know as the end of chapter twelve of Romans (verse 21). What in our Bibles is the end of one chapter and the beginning of the next is in reality just the next sentence, at least as Paul dictated this letter. So we owe it to ourselves to be better informed, to hear both sides of the issue. Let’s take a look, therefore, at what in our Bibles is Romans 13:1-4.

1 Let every soul be subject to governing authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and so existing authorities are appointed by God, 2 so that the one opposing the authority does stand against the ordinance of God. And the ones withstanding will receive to themselves judgment. 3 For the ruling ones are not a terror to the good works, but to the evil. And do you wish to not be afraid of the authority? Do the good and you will have praise from the same, 4 for he is a servant of God for good. But if you should do evil, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. For he is a servant of God, an avenger for wrath to the one practicing evil. [Romans 13:1-4, LGO]

After speaking against personally seeking revenge, Paul immediately speaks of governing authorities. He states that authority is from God, and that “existing authorities are appointed by God,” even referring to authorities as “servants of God.” They are a threat to evil works, not good. Obviously, Paul is speaking of the office, and not every man that fills the office (e.g., Nero in Paul’s day). Paul speaks of the principle of authority, the ideal. And Paul’s words to “evil doers” (no, it’s not just a “Bush-ism”) is “…be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing.” This applies to international circumstances as well as the realm over which the ruler has authority. This “servant of God” is “an avenger for wrath,” executing God’s vengeance, God’s wrath.

The Christian, therefore, is to personally seek peace if at all possible, but may in good conscience support his president or prime minister in the execution of his God-appointed punishment of those who do evil.