WHEN PEACE WALKS PAST US IN ROBES
What are we to do with people of other religions who seek peace, kindness, and the good of their neighbor? Right now, Buddhist monks walk across our nation praying for peace—and some Christians feel an instinctive need to “take a stand.”
But here is the question that unsettles us: where did Christ and the apostles ever take that kind of stand against people who were peaceful, humble, and doing no harm? The answer, plainly and biblically, is this—they did not.
Jesus did not reserve His sharpest words for pagans, foreigners, or outsiders seeking peace. He reserved them for religious insiders who crushed others beneath pride, power, and self-righteousness.
Look carefully at the pattern of the Gospels. Jesus praised a Roman centurion for his faith (Matthew 8:10). He honored the compassion of a Samaritan—someone of a false religion—as the model of neighbor-love (Luke 10:33-37). He spoke gently with a Samaritan woman whose theology was flawed, but whose heart was searching (John 4:22-26).
Yet when He addressed religious leaders who “devour widows’ houses” and burden the weak, His words were thunder and fire: “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!” (Matthew 23:13). The Bible’s shock is this—Jesus was far harsher with cruel religion than with ignorant sincerity.
The apostles followed the same path. Paul did not mock the Athenians for their altar “TO THE UNKNOWN GOD”; he used it as a bridge (Acts 17:22-23). He acknowledged their search before proclaiming Christ. But when religious systems exalted themselves, demeaned others, or enforced oppression, the apostles stood firm without apology.
The exclusivity of Christ was never used as a club against the gentle—it was proclaimed as hope for the lost, and wielded as judgment against prideful religion that harmed people.
Here is the stand that cannot be refused, because it is the Bible’s own: Christians are never commanded to attack peace, kindness, or humility wherever they appear; we are commanded to proclaim Christ clearly without becoming cruel. Jesus did not say, “By this all will know you are My disciples, if you win arguments,” but “if you have love for one another” (John 13:35).
Truth does not need hostility to defend it. The Gospel confronts falsehood best when it exposes loveless religion—especially our own. Christ stands against any system, Christian or otherwise, that puts others down, exalts itself, and forgets mercy (Matthew 9:13).
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Lord Jesus, give me Your eyes—to see kindness without fear, to proclaim truth without pride, and to stand firm without becoming hard. Deliver me from cruel religion, and conform me to Your heart, full of grace and truth. Amen.
BDD
