In spite of the recent peace agreement signed between President Salva Kiir and his rival Riek Machar, and their espoused desire to achieve peace through the mediation efforts of IGAD ("Intergovernmental Authority on Development"), South Sudan continues to be torn by animosities. Even an cursory view of South Sudan's history over the past three decades would cause any of us to wonder if there has ever been more of a need for true and authentic peacemakers. We see varying degrees of internal political, tribal and economic tensions. Once again, the warring parties started accusing each other of violations of the agreement before the ink was dry. Once again, the long line of emissaries from the United States, the U.N. and regional governments shuttle about in diplomatic efforts to avoid a return to all-out war, and each compromised by their own not-so-hidden agendas - each with a desire to expand their own interests. So, it is no surprise that all they seem able to accomplish is superficial "peace faking" agreements that temporarily mask underlying antagonism and hostile agendas. All of this occurs within the context of a post conflict society and a culture traumatized by two generations of persecution and war. In South Sudan's civil administration, the highest honors have been reserved for the veteran fighters and war makers. These former fighters in the war have been rewarded with the choicest positions as civil authorities, with little experience or background in the negotiation or conflict resolution skills needed for their new roles of "civil servants." From a rational human perspective, it appears that South Sudan may be a simmering pot about to boil over. It would be reasonable to conclude that peacemaking efforts have largely been utter failures, occasionally interrupted by some moderate successes in bringing the worst conflicts to a brief stalemate. This is only exacerbated by the self described religious "ambassadors of peace" - each seemingly bent on expanding their own denominational territories rather than truly serving the Kingdom of God and the Glory of Christ.
The above description of the situation in South Sudan reveals how formidable the task is for Peacemakers who aim to reconcile groups or individuals that are in conflict. The difficulties inherent in this effort are significant: 1) A Peacemaker must keep his own biases and prejudices from influencing or exacerbating the tone and tenor of the dispute between the adversaries. 2) A Peacemaker helps adveraries finding common ground and interests from which an agreement can be built. This can be troublesome because some people are highly competitive, contentious, stubborn - driven to "win" regardless of the cost. Some will sacrifice any other interest just so they do not appear to "lose." 3) A Peacemaker seeks opportunities to change the views of adversaries to encourage a change in former mutually exclusive positions... Daunting tasks, indeed!
But I believe there is another, more fundamental cause for the failure of well intentioned efforts at securing peace in South Sudan. Most of us are not very accomplished at reconciling warring parties, but that is not the kind of peacemaking our Lord is concerned about for us now. He is more concerned about the way in which we live and the manner in which we conduct ourselves. It was Adam and Eve's conductthat shattered the peace between man and God. Cain's conduct shattered the peace between him and Abel and God. And so it is for all of us - our conduct makes or breaks the peace with God and man!
In God's economy, a person cannot truly make peace with other unless he is first at peace with God. "Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be" (Romans 8:7). In describing mankind, Paul says, "The way of peace they have not known" (Romans 3:17) When we become reconciled to God He dissolves our enmity and He developes peace in our character. Until then, we cannot truly be instruments of godly peace. Paul also claims "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." (Roman 5:1) Here, peace implies a cessation of hostilities and a tranquillity of mind. This replaces an almost continual agitation because of the carnal mind's inborn hostlity toward toward God and His law. These verses paint a clear picture of the horrible contention and enmity that sin causes - for where there is no strife, there is no need for a peacemaker. All of us were at war with God. "For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another." Before our conversion, we each needed a peacemaker to mediate and make reconciliation for us.
God's servant Paul tells us plainly, "Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Therefore, we are Ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us; we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." II Cor. 5:18-21
We play a part in becoming Peacemakers by becoming reconciled to God by His grace. This is the first step and the primary criteria for becoming a true peacemaker. Paul tells us that he had been given the word and ministry of reconciliation as his function as an apostle of Jesus Christ. But he tells us that we, as followers of Christ are called and being prepared to assist in causing the reconciliation of the world to God. This step toward being a peacemaker is the result of His working in our lives over time. This sanctification process creates within us the ability to be a peacemaker by His definition, as He conforms us to the image of His pattern Son. The process is painful -our human nature clings tenaciously to our attitudes and behavior, providing a constant challenge to maintaining peace with God and others. Paul describes his battle with it in Romans 7, and in numerous other exhortations to us to employ self-control and love for God and the brethren. This leads us to understand that peacemaking involves more than mediating between disputing parties. Peacemaking is a constant responsibility and lifestyle. Its achievement is possible, but more difficult than it seems at first because of many factors - not just from without, but from within.
The church is a spiritual body, the body of Jesus Christ. It is an assembly of people called to prepare for God's Kingdom and participate in and support the church's work in feeding the flock and preaching the gospel of peace to the world. The church has two primary duties - To provide a means of calling others to reconciliation and peace with God, and to provide the full counsel of God to help the called know God and become holy. This is the vocation, the work, of all Christians. I am reminded here of a Boma chief who recently told me, "In every village where there is a church, I have no need for policemen."
Although as Christians we may have little or no control over others in mediating peace between disputing parties, this should not dissuade us from living in the conduct of peacemakers and Ambassadors for Christ. In and of itself, this is our Godly calling and vocation. Peacemaking is indeed a high standard and our worthy vocation, yielding a wonderful reward that is worth bending our every effort and will to submit to God and seek to glorify Him.
Who then, are the real Peacemakers in South Sudan? They are those who may never sit at a formal negotiation table. They may never have the opportunity to issue declarations, engage in public rhetoric or sign agreements and treaties. They may live out their lives farming their fields or selling in the marketplace. But in their interaction with others in the daily course of their lives, and through the sanctifying process God is working in them, I continue to be convinced they are the ones through whom God will establish His peace in South Sudan. They may be the meek, largely unnoticed by the world, but our Lord says that the meek will inherit the earth. I am proud to know them.
I am convinced from God's perspective that they are blessed according to Matthew 5:9, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God". This is why I am convinced that God is moving in South Sudan. These are the people I want to teach, exhort and encourage in the Gospel of Peace, in their churches, over the radio, and in the fields and marketplace. It is truly my great privilege to know them!
In His Grace,
Bob Kirkman
