1 Corinthians 7:15 … Called to Peace (12/17/16)
“It is to Peace that God has called us.”
~ Paul (1 Corinthians 7:15)
In this verse Paul (as was so often the case) is actually speaking of bringing the “peace” of comfort and the “peace” of convenience to his audience (in this case first telling his listeners they should avoid divorcing their marriage partners, and yet then essentially excusing divorce in almost the same breath immediately thereafter) … That having been said – and while duly noting that it is indeed a Good Thing to ameliorate all conflict that exists between individuals, groups &/or even nations – two important points need to be raised:
A) It is not a Good Thing to ease any conflict via any form of compromise (certainly not a compromises of one’s basic values or moral foundations – as Paul himself was often wont to do &/or encourage), and …
B) Jesus was almost always not speaking of Paul’s “peace” in the Gospels, but was instead affirming the deeper, more profound, and far more transformative PEACE that comes from treating the opponent as a Soulmate; from Giving to the stranger as a loved one, and from Loving the enemy as a Friend (see Matthew 5:40-44, Matthew 11:28-30, John 14:27 & John 16:33 et al).
Amen … Let it be so.
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