Editorial June 3, 1996 Issue

Church—bringing peace to the community

Russ Gerber

Do you think of a church as a peacemaker in your community? You would if you applied to the church's role God's instruction to the children of Israel, as conveyed by the prophet Jeremiah. The instruction is this: "Seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the Lord for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace" (29:7).

The peace that comes from God isn't something attainable only in an afterlife. It's available now. And not just peace that's the absence of conflict but the spiritual calm—the grace and assurance—that expresses God's presence. Prayer to God and the understanding of His perfect government of man and the universe bring this all-embracing peace to human lives—to the community where you live.

God created His universe, including man, as His reflection. As such, it's entirely spiritual and good and always under the control of divine law. Everything made by God operates in accord with the all-loving, all-harmonious creator. Everything made by God reflects the nature of divine Love, the intelligence of divine Mind. God loves what He has made, and intelligently maintains order and peace throughout it. Because God's creation is purely good and at peace, His offspring, man, hasn't been put at the mercy of evil in the form of menacing disturbances, warring groups, economic hardship, or decaying conditions. Spiritual being is eternally perfect. It's always at peace. And it is a present reality. "The kingdom of heaven is at hand" is at the heart of Christ Jesus' message (Matt. 4:17).

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