3RD SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY (2)
Text: Romans 12: 17-21
Source from Back to Luther with German archive reference. Back to Walther's Epistle Sermons.
Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love„ Amen.
Dear friends in Christ Jesus.
Christ came into the world not only to obtain peace for men with God, but also to establish peace among men themselves. When the Prophet Micah wants to describe the disposition, and condition of Christians in the times of the New Testament, he writes: "They," those who became Christians, "shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more." Micah 4,3. And the moment Christ had been born in Bethlehem, the heavenly hosts filled the air with the song: "Peace on earth!"
Paul also mentions that one of the chief purposes of Christ's coming into the world and his death on the cross was the establishing of peace between the Jews and heathen and all nations who hated each other. He writes: "He," namely Christ, "is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us, having abolished in his flesh the enmity,... and came' and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were, nigh." Eph 2,14.15.17. That is why in Scripture the preachers of the Gospel are called the messengers of peace, and those who accept the Gospel in faith are called the children of peace. Paul writes that Isaiah says of the preachers of the Gospel; "How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the Gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things ! " Rom 10,15. And Christ says to the 70 disciples as he sent them out: "Into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, peace be to this house. And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it; if not, it shall turn to you again." Lk 10,5.6.
Therefore all those who devote themselves to peace are called blessed in God's Word and all Christians are urgently exhorted to do that. Thus, for example, Christ exclaims in his Sermon on the Mount: "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God." Mt 5,9. In the Epistle to the Hebrews the holy writer exhorts: "Follow peace with all men, and holiness, with out which no man shall see the Lord." Heb 12,14, First of all, we are told that a Christian should pursue after peace toward every man as earnestly as a hunter pursues a wild animal; he lets n o swamp, no thicket, no mountain no matter how steep, and no ravine no matter how deep hold him back from following the animal until he has caught it. Secondly, in the passage the pursuing after peace with all men is placed ahead of pursuing sanctification; evidently that is to indicate that a true sanctification without earnestly seeking peace with all men just is not possible nor thinkable, and that as the Lord can not be seen without sanctification, so also not without love of peace.
Since in our today's Epistle we are urgently exhorted to live in peace with all men, let us today during this time which is without peace ponder our holy and important Christian duty more closely and really try to know it. May God give
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us all his Holy Spirit, which is a Spirit of peace and joy.
Quote the text here: R omans 12, 17-21.
The sum of all the exhortation contained in this section is that we should do nothing whereby peace between us and others can be disturbed and that we should leave nothing undone whereby it is established, preserved, and promoted. Let therefore the subject of our present devotion be:
THE ADMONITION OF THE APOSTLE, "IF IT IS POSSIBLE, AS MUCH AS LIETH IN YOU,
LIVE PEACEABLY WITH ALL MEN!”
We ponder:
1. What the Apostle Demands with the Admonition: "Live in Peace with
All Men," and,
2. Why the Apostle Adds the Words: "As Much as Lieth in You. 11
Lord Jesus, Prince of Peace, through your Word fill our hearts with your peace which passes all understanding, which the world can not know nor give; and then help us to walk in sweet peace with our brethren and sisters and all other fellow redeemed. Oh restrain our flesh which is so easily inclined toward discord. When we have finally ended our journey, grant us a peaceful return home and receive us into the mansions of eternal peace. Hear us, Lord Jesus for your own sake. Amen.
I.
If we ask what the apostle demands of Christians with the admonition: " Live peaceably with all men," he himself gives us the most precise answer in the admonition preceding these words; he says: " Be not wise in your own conceits. Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men." Vv. 16c.17. The apostle demands three things; first, something which concerns the disposition of our heart; secondly, something which we should abstain from doing; and finally, something which we should do.
So what disposition is it which the apostle demands with the words: " Live peaceably with all men ?" He says: " Be not wise in your own conceits. ” That humility which does not consider itself wise the apostle declares is the first and most necessary thing, if one wants to fulfil the command: " Live peaceably with all men."
And so it is. The greatest hindrance to peace and unity among men is pride, arrogance, intellectual conceit, the fancy that one knows everything best. For from that follows self-will and obstinacy. Psalm 12 tells us that the principle of such a self-wise person is: "With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own." Ps 12,4. The one wise in his own conceits wants everyone to be silent when he speaks, wants everything to go as he thinks, and his advice and his proposals be always considered the best; he will yield to no one, but all should yield to, him; he will not conform to the views of others, but all should conform to his views. A person wise in his own conceits thinks that all will fare well if it goes as he wishes; if something miscarries, then he thinks that the cause is that they did not listen to him.
Hence wherever there are such wise in their own conceits in a state, in a society, in a family, in & congregation, they are always the reason for the
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lack of peace and unify, "Only by pride cometh contention,” says Solomon. Prov 13,10. Even the proud, the wise in their own conceits very often lament over the fact that there is no peace and unity; but instead of perceiving that they are mainly at fault, they think that the reason is that their wise counsel is not accepted,
" Be not wise in your own conceits ! is the way the apostle cries to Christians before he gives them the admonition: " Live peaceably with all men." He means to say: My dear Christians, if you want to live in peace with one another, the first and most necessary requisite is that you do not think that you alone are wise; on the contrary, you must be so humble as to believe that the judgment and advice of another can be better, or that it often is better if matters would proceed according to the decision and counsel of another and not your own.
Oh my friends, how much strife and discord would be avoided in our homes, societies, congregation meetings if we were all so minded! If you want to be children of peace, not only give good counsel but also learn to esteem the counsel of others; learn to yield whilst you also write the exhortation of the apostle deeply in your heart: " Be not wise in your own conceits !"
The apostle continues in our text: " Recompense to no man evil for evil," That is the second thing which Paul demands with the words: " Live peaceably with all men." There are many who live in peace with their friends who do good to them but want to put up with no wrong. If they notice that another intends evil, they immediately bear ill-will against hist in their heart;, if another attacks them with unfriendly, even biting, abusive words, they think they must repay with the same coin; and if someone really injures them, then they do to their opponent.as he did to them.
But my friends, those people do not obey the apostolic demand: " Live peaceably with ALL men," If peace is to be established and preserved among us, it is above all necessary to be able to tolerate and make the beat of even a wrong done us, remain kindly disposed even toward one' b enemy, repay evil words with words of love, and even do good to those who do evil to us. Many indeed think that if others have first injured them, all the guilt of the continuing discord falls upon the one who offended them. But how they deceive themselves ! That is the very reason why God's Word cries out to us; " Live peaceably with ALL men !" To have peace in this world it is not enough to keep peace only with those who already live in peace with us, but it is also necessary not to nourish the fire of discord kindled by others by repaying evil with evil, but rather to extinguish it by bearing the wrong.
The children of the world indeed regard themselves. as peaceable if they themselves do not wilfully disturb the peace, although they repay evil with evil, but the children of God as children of peace have an entirely different, a much higher assignment, They are told in the Sermon on the Mount: " 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, that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven; for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and. on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust, for if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not eve n the publican s the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye store than others? do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." Mt 5,44-48. You see, that, that is it which the apostle demands in the words: " Live peaceably with all men;" so to explain these words he preceded them with the admonition: " Recompense to no man evil for evil."
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When the apostle admonishes Christians in our text to live in peace with all' men, there is one more thing which he demands of them, namely; " Provide things honest in the sight of all men." The apostle means to say: If you Christians want to live in peace with all men, it is not only necessary that you walk honestly before God, but that you also walk honestly before men and before everyone; for it is not only necessary that whatever you do you can justify before your conscience, but that it also does not appear evil to men; briefly, it is necessary to let your light shine before men, that they also may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
Therefore they are in great error who follow the principle: As long as I know that I act correctly I do not ask what men think, Whoever follows this principle, acts contrary to the admonition: " Live peaceably with all men." If a person is indifferent as to what other people think of him; if a person is satisfied that he does no evil although others take offense; if, for example, Christians join a secret organization of which no one but the members know whether they plan evil or good, that is enough to prevent true peace, true unity of heart from existing among men. If there is to be peace, we must strive to have everything which we do, as the apostle says in another place, done honestly not only before God but also before men. Therefore the apostle cries out in our text not only: " Live peaceably with all men ! but also: " Provide things honest in the sight of all men."
And my friends, do not think that it is merely a desirable thing if we all were to follow after peace toward everyone. No, anyone who does not do that is not a Christian, is not a child of God, has no faith and no love, is not under God ’ s grace, is not on the way to salvation, is excluded from God's kingdom; for true children of God are always children of peace as well. The moment a person receives peace with God through the forgiveness of his sins, he also has a heart which seeks peace with every one, with his spouse and brothers and sisters in his home, with his friends and relatives, with his fellow citizens, with his brethren and sisters in the faith, even with his enemies, in short, with all men. For when Christ uttered the friendly words: "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God," Mt 5,9 they at the same time contain the terrible word: "Unhappy are the quarrelsome, for they shall be called the children of the devil." Not only should you note this you self-wise who are always wilfully disturbing the peace but also you irreconcilable who do not at all times earnestly seek peace with everyone. Ah, let the threefold admonition of the apostle always ring in your ear and heart: " Be not wise in your own conceits. Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men."
II.
My friends, it is certainly remarkable that, as is not the case in the other admonitions, the apostle does make reservation to his admonition to live in peace with everyone; he adds:·' " If it be possible, as much as lieth in you." V. 18, Therefore let us in the second place reflect upon why the apostle adds these words in this connection.
Undoubtedly this is what the apostle intends to indicate by the addition: " If jt be possible;" it is very true that it is not always possible for Christians to live in peace with all men as the example of all the saints in Scripture as well as of the Christians of all ages show. As earnestly as they strive to live in peace with all men, just so impossible has it been for them to attain this beautiful goal.
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Though Abel was peaceably inclined, he could not live in peace with Cain rather he died under his murdering band. Though Jacob was peaceable, it was not possible to live in peace with Esau; rather he had to leave his father's house and his homeland in order to elude his plans for vengeance. Though David was peaceable, it was impossible to live in peace with Saul; even though' 'he was already anointed king, he had to roam about like a hunted animal in woods, caves, and deserts to evade Saul. Though the apostles and all the martyrs (not to mention Christ the Lord himself) were peaceably inclined, it was not possible for them to live in peace with all men; rather though not at fault they lived their entire life in continual warfare and strife.
That is why David in Ps 120 expressly says: "I am for peace; but when I speak, they are for war." v.7, And Christ foretold to his disciples: "If ye were of the world, the world would love his own; but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you." Jn 15,19.20.
You see, that in the first place the apostle limits the admonition in our text: " Live peaceably with all men,” by the words: " If it be possible," because it very often is not possible.
However, that false, quarrelsome Christians do not misuse this, the apostle immediately adds: " As much as lieth in you," and then continues to explain this: " Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath (that is, God's wrath); for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord." V.19. The apostle means to say: You Christians dare not say, that it is impossible to live peaceably with others because they offend and persecute you. Though they may do this, there should " as much as lieth in yo u ” nevertheless be peace, and that happens when you do not avenge yourselves' but leave all vengeance to him who says: " Vengeance is mine."
Yes, it is not even enough not only not to avenge yourself; no, the apostle says: " The refore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink; for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good." Vv. 20,21. The apostle means to say: Only then, my dear Christian, have you done "as much as lieth in you" in living in peace with all men, when you do not repay your enemy evil for evil but rather good for evil. In so doing you heap coals of fire on his head, that is, thus you make him soften his hard attitude and blush for shame so that he becomes your friend and thus conquer the evil with good. So, for example, Jacob heaped coals of fire upon the head of his brother Esau who had hated and persecuted him so that Esau let him go in peace. So David heaped coals of fire upon the head of his bloodthirsty persecutor when in the cave he spared his enemy who sought even for his life; shamefacedly Saul cried out: "Thou art more righteous than I. The Lord reward thee good for that thou hast done unto me this day." 1 Sam 24,17.19.
Oh my friends, if every person would deal thus with his foe, how enmity and strife would gradually cease upon earth ! how the fire would be extinguished if the fuel would be withdrawn. The entire world would soon be turned into half a paradise. That is why the apostle cries out at least to all Christians: " As much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men."
However, the addition: " As much as lieth in you,” also contains an important qualification. Obviously the apostle also means to say this: If in or der to live peaceably with all men you must put up with much, if you must buy this peace with the loss of temporal goods, with injury to your honor, yes, under certain circumstances with your blood and life, you should gladly make the sacrifice,
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for that is what the words: " As much as lieth in you," mean; but if you cannot live peaceably with men unless you share in their sins or in their falsifications of God's Word — this is not a matter which is yours but which belongs to God, is God's command, God's honor — this is not something which you can surrender and sacrifice; this is not your property; this is not where you let God's Word and honor go to preserve and obtain peace, but give up peace to rescue God's Word and honor.
So note well, my dear friends, what the apostle means when he cries out to us: " If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men." You should not consider any of your own goods so precious that you should not be ready to sacrifice it for peace in the world, in the city, and in the home, peace in the church and in the congregation; for we read: " As much as lieth in you."
But if in order to live in peace you should besmirch yourself with sin, or be silent when you really ought to speak, or if in order to l ive in peace you swear allegiance to false doctrine or put up with it and not testify against it, then say: I do not agree with that. Peace is a costly possession, but infinite ly more precious is God's command and Word; I can not leave it even though not only peace but, if it were possible, the whole world would go to wrack and ruin.
That is what all the prophets and apostles, that is what all the martyrs and faithful servants of God have done. They were truly peaceable and they were ready and willing at all times to sacrifice anything to keep peace; on the other hand, they looked at no sin as too small and no error against God's Word too insignificant but that they were ready and willing to sacrifice peace with men in order to remain free of it. For Christ indeed says: "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God," Mt 5,9; but the same Christ also says: "I came not to send peace, but a sword." Mt 10,34b.
Well then, my dear friends, be not like those who immediately carry on a lawsuit, squabble, and bicker when their property, goods, and honor is at stake, but when God's commandment and Word is at stake know only how to talk of love, peace, and unity. Rather the principle on which you should operate is this: I will gladly forgive anyone who attacks my person; but anyone who attacks my God, his Word and honor, let him not hope for peace or unity from me. The first is mine and I can give it away; God's Word and honor, however, are not mine; I can give none of that away.
May God grant us all the grace so to seek peace with men in such a way that we do not lose peace with God because of it. Then let our entire life always be a life full of struggle and strife, full of disgrace and contention because of the godless world and false brethren, just as long as we can at last say with old Simeon and be recognized as children of peace by God: "Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace." Jesus Christ, King of grace and Prince of peace, grant that to us. Amen.