In 1956, an international crisis erupted over the Suez Canal involving Egypt, Israel, the United Kingdom and France. To prevent full-scale war, the United Nations created its first armed peacekeeping force: the United Nations Emergency Force.
As peacemakers, we are armed with the truth of Colossians 3. One of our duties is to “let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body” (Col 3:15).1 This “peace” is more than an inner calm; it’s also the accord between believers based on our reconciliation with God through Christ (1:20). This is Christ-mediated peace, the kind He gives (Joh 14:27), seen both internally and communally. It is this peace that we, as peacemakers, must let “rule” or “arbitrate.” This peace becomes the deciding factor in how we respond during tension. “In your hearts” means the control center of our being – our minds and wills. When facing conflict and competing desires, we must let Christ’s peace dictate our internal and external responses. Paul tells us this isn’t optional – it’s the divine calling of every believer, as those “called in one body.”
Removing Our Combatant Fatigues
UN peacekeepers come from different nations, from armed forces with different uniforms. But when the first peacekeepers where being assembled, the UN knew they couldn’t wear their national fatigues in standard military colors like green, khaki or camouflage. They needed to be visibly distinguished from combatant soldiers. They needed to be seen as neutral and non-aggressive rather than partisan and hostile.
We, too, must remove our “combatant fatigues.” Our old camo pattern of attitudes and actions must come off. Paul commands us, “You yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth” (Col 3:8). “Anger” is our smoldering hostility, deep-seated resentment and lingering attitudes of bitterness. “Wrath” includes outbursts of rage, yelling and a loss of control. “Malice” is our desire to see others hurt through intentional cruelty or malevolent scheming. In this context, “blasphemy” likely means our being disrespectful or demeaning in what we say to or about others. And “filthy language” is our speaking in vulgar, coarse or shameful ways. Wearing any of these will lead to aggression rather than peace. They are the combatant’s fatigues, not our peacemaker’s uniform.
An Unpartisan Force
Paul also reminds us that we are now part of a new creation – not of the UN, but of God – where there is “neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free” (v11). While differences of nationality, culture and social standing divide our world, they must never divide us. We are united in Christ, who “is all and in all” (v11).
Our Blue Berets
The blue beret is one of the most recognized symbols of peacekeeping in the world. The beret, rather than a helmet, was selected to be worn for most duties for its simple, non-threatening look. The sky-blue color was chosen because it stood out and wasn’t aggressive. The blue beret symbolizes the allegiance of the peacekeeper to the objectives of the UN over all other competing interests on the ground.
As peacemakers, our sky-blue beret isn’t to be on our head but in our head. Paul tells us to be seeking “those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth” (vv1-2). Our mission and life objectives are directed by Him and His priorities. That’s where our allegiance lies.
The Peacekeeper’s Uniform
What about the rest of our uniform? Paul continues: “As the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection” (vv12-14). “Tender mercies,” or literally “bowels of mercy,” means deeply felt compassion for others, especially considering their suffering. Like Christ, who was “moved with compassion” (Mar 6:34), we must have soft, merciful hearts that feel and act toward those in need. “Kindness” is a gentle benevolence, a moral goodness expressed in gracious, helpful actions. It is not just being “nice” but actively doing good for others, including the undeserving (Luk 6:35). “Humility” is lowliness of mind, a correct view of self in light of God’s greatness. We must wear an attitude that esteems others better than oneself (Php 2:3-5). “Meekness” is controlled power that responds with gentleness, even when provoked – essential for a peacemaker. “Longsuffering” means patient endurance, waiting graciously and suffering without lashing out or retaliating. “Bearing with one another” is to endure with others, even when difficult. We must put on tolerance for people’s faults and quirks, motivated by grace and patience. “Forgiving one another” means graciously canceling offenses and debts. Our example and motivation for this? “Even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do” (Col 3:13). We must wear a readiness to let go of grievances, reflecting the gospel of grace.
The final distinguishing feature of a UN peacekeeper’s uniform is the embroidered patch. For us, as peacemakers, it’s “love.” This is to be our most visible characteristic, our identity-displaying and mission-defining self-sacrificial love that always seeks the good of others. Love is what governs and energizes all the rest. It is “the bond of perfection,” tying all our uniform’s features together into mature, Christlike character.
A More Noble Peace Prize
Lester B. Pearson, who was Canada’s Secretary of State for External Affairs in 1956, won the 1957 Nobel Peace Prize for his role in resolving the Suez Crisis and for pioneering UN peacekeeping.
But the outcomes for believers who serve as peacemakers are much higher. James assures us that “a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace” (Jas 3:18 ESV). And our Lord declared, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God” (Mat 5:9). It would greatly bless your assembly, and it would greatly bless you! Are you responding to your call of duty?
1 Bible quotations in this article are from the NKJV unless otherwise noted.
