"I am for peace, but when I speak, they are for war!"

Here’s a horrible thing about preaching the gospel: we are for peace, but war is returned. We bring men reconciliation with God, and they bring us trouble, debate, and slander. Their tongues rise up against us and our Christ. Psalms 120:2, “Deliver me, O Lord, from lying lips, from a deceitful tongue.”

Christ went through it before us. Never was someone more unjustly hated. The Father will be with you, however, as he was with Christ. He will not leave you. In fact, he knows that you are on the side of righteousness, and he’ll help you always.

Do not fear, though the world is against you. God has grace to meet our needs.

First, “I am for peace.” We are peace loving peace makers, preaching peace because we’ve experienced it. We don’t come exalting ourselves. Our spirit is pure, made so by grace, and we seek the happiness of others. We want you to know peace with God by the blood of atonement. We want you to have the power of the Spirit. We want you to know the love and kindness of God, as you do his will, and he enables you. We want you to live in Paradise forever, rather than perishing.

The Christian is a do-gooder who wants the best for his neighbor. Matthew 5:9, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God." Peacemakers walk in love, even towards the ungodly. They're committed to loving their enemy. Let this adorn you, no matter what the world says. Let nothing stop us from doing good, and our good deeds will speak for themselves.

Secondly, “but when I speak.” We bring the gospel of grace. We are not silent witnesses, but seizing opportunities, we teach people about Christ. We are not doing them wrong by telling them the only way of salvation. We are not evil for enforcing God’s word. We are bringing them the truth of the gospel, so they can be saved, but they don’t want it.

They don’t mind good deeds - if you feed, clothe, or medicate. They don’t care if you build schools. When it comes to the gospel, however, they are tight lipped, because you take away their false refuge, and bring sinners before their Maker. Men hate "holiness by grace," but we must preach it. They hate living for Christ, but we must declare that this is the way.

Don’t mind them. Move on to others who’ll hear you. Matthew 10:14, "If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet as you leave that house or town." Don’t be surprised by people's hatred. We must talk, and they must resist, until they are born again, but the elect will hear. Don’t be shy because of opposition. Be more in prayer and wisdom.

Thirdly, “they are for war.” They don’t want friendship. They cannot resist the gospel scripturally, so they use all types of evil tactics. They justify lying and slander. They manipulate people, and twist the truth. They are unconcerned with God’s word, and they do not fear him. Therefore, they resist us steadfast, and they will not hearken. They speak evil of us and fault find. They twist our words, and refuse to understand our teaching. When rebuked, they insult, rather than listen. They are warring against God, and YOU are the messenger.

Be at peace. Know this is the reality, according to Scripture, and it is a mark of godliness - that you are persecuted for the Name. Philippians 1:29, "For he has graciously granted you the privilege not only of believing in Christ, but of suffering for him as well—" This is the privilege of suffering for Christ, as the prophets did previously. Matthew 5:12, "Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." We have their reward, and evil will not silence the truth. We may be forbidden to preach in one place, because of hostility, but God will open a door for us elsewhere. Someone will hear, and need our help. The Lord will open Lydia’s heart, the word will eventually penetrate the demon possessed, and the persecutor will be broken by God’s power.

Suffer wisely, and don’t give up. Don’t think you have to be popular and well received. Don’t worry about big numbers and growth. Faithfully love people, preach the gospel, and God will add fruitfulness through prayer. Do not doubt that the truth preached God’s way by the Spirit (in faith and love) will yield the fruit of righteousness in those God has appointed. James 3:18, "And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace for those who make peace." Christ gives special grace, and delivers the deceived from the captor. They see the truth clearly, and bow down, because God gives repentance. 2 Timothy 2:26, "and that they may escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will."