ronald reagan quotes peace is not the absence of conflict

That way, even if the other person continues to do what is wrong, you can pursue Christ and find his peace. God calls you and me to return good for evil. This means I don’t have to control people to find peace. Instead of eliminating conflict, the Christian overcomes conflict with the powerful force of good. We may never eliminate conflict but we can always know the peace that comes from knowing the God of peace. Peace is the fruit of the presence of God’s Spirit. Rather, for Christians, our goal must be to know Christ in the middle of the conflict. Peace without heart change is as elusive as a mirage. As long as the human heart is involved, true peace cannot be measured by the absence of external conflict.

This is true for children as well as for the summits of world leaders. A forced or negotiated peace may end the external conflict but the inner turmoil remains. This means that it is dangerous to identify peace as the absence of conflict. Conflict comes because we are born driven to gratify the cravings of our bodies. Conflict is the natural disposition of the heart. The human heart will not naturally be drawn to peace. The sad reality is that diplomats attempting to negotiate peace treaties ignore this most basic truth: people are born at war with God and with each other. A mom knows that discord and self-service rules young hearts. Thus, terms are sought to minimize or eliminate conflict. Whether it is in the children’s playroom or at an international negotiating table, peace is described as the absence of conflict.

Ronald reagan quotes peace is not the absence of conflict