Malcolm Rivera
The Bible has a lot to say about diplomacy and peace. While many feel that diplomacy is the solution to national and international conflicts, the Bible suggests that human diplomacy alone cannot bring world peace. Instead, it points to a solution in the form of a leader who can unite all people and bring them together under God's Kingdom. The Bible also provides examples of person-to-person contact leading to peace, such as Abigail convincing David and his army not to avenge themselves on her household. It advises Christians not to put their trust in diplomats or worldly leaders but to seek true and everlasting peace through their faith in Jesus Christ and God's Kingdom.
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What You'll Learn
The Bible advises against trusting diplomats and worldly powers
Diplomacy and peace are recurring themes in the Bible, with many verses addressing the topic. While the Bible does not outright dismiss the idea of diplomacy, it advises against putting trust in diplomats and worldly powers.
For instance, Psalm 146:3 states, "Do not put your trust in nobles, nor in the son of earthling man, to whom no salvation belongs." This verse highlights that diplomats and worldly leaders are fallible and limited in their abilities to bring about lasting solutions. Similarly, when Jesus stood before Pontius Pilate, he asserted the separation of his kingdom from worldly kingdoms, emphasizing that his followers would not resort to violence or political power to advance their cause (John 18:36).
The Bible also provides examples of person-to-person diplomacy, such as Abigail's skillful intervention to prevent David and his army from avenging themselves on her household (1 Samuel 25:18-35). Additionally, Jesus illustrated the concept of diplomacy by narrating the story of a king who had no option but to send out ambassadors to sue for peace (Matthew 5:9).
The Bible emphasizes that true peace will not come through human diplomacy but through God's Kingdom. As stated in Psalm 37:11, 29, those who hope for peace should put their trust in Jesus Christ and God's Kingdom, as only then will their desire for true and everlasting peace be fulfilled.
Furthermore, the Bible acknowledges the challenges of diplomacy, recognizing that national interests, selfishness, and hatred often hinder peace initiatives. It is essential to note that the Bible does not discourage Christians from engaging in diplomacy. Instead, it encourages Christians to become "all things to all people" to save some and share the gospel (1 Corinthians 9:19-22; 2 Corinthians 5:20).
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Jesus' kingdom is not of this world
Diplomacy and peace are popular topics in the Bible. Human diplomacy has failed to bring world peace, and the Bible points to a leader who can unite all people and bring peace—Jesus Christ.
Jesus' statement, "My kingdom is not of this world," was made during his trial before Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor in Judea. Pilate asked Jesus, "Are you the king of the Jews?" to which Jesus replied, "My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world."
Jesus was clarifying to Pilate that his kingdom was not of this world, both in origin and nature. He was admitting to being the head of a spiritual kingdom, but not one that Rome needed to fear as a political rival. Jesus' kingdom is not of this world in that it does not originate from the world and is not supported by the world's weapons or power. Instead, its authority and power are derived from God, the heavenly Father.
Jesus' statement also relates to his followers, who are "not of the world." The world hates Christ and his followers because they do not conform to the world or act in ways that the world understands and approves of. Jesus' kingdom offers the opportunity to know the truth and be set free from sin and death.
The Bible provides examples of person-to-person diplomacy leading to peace, such as Abigail convincing David and his army not to avenge themselves on her household. It also illustrates Jesus' teaching on peace through his parable of a king sending out ambassadors to sue for peace. However, the Bible advises against putting trust in human leaders or diplomats to bring about true peace, as their primary objective is often to advance their nation's interests, and they lack the power to devise permanent solutions.
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Person-to-person contact can lead to peace
The concept of peace means different things to different people and cultures. Generally, peace is considered a state of living together where all members of society can accomplish their human rights. It is a product of human rights, and the more a society promotes, protects, and fulfils the human rights of its people, the greater its chances of curbing violence and resolving conflicts peacefully.
The Bible has much to say about diplomacy and peace, and it answers the question of how true peace can be attained. Several Bible accounts illustrate how person-to-person contact can lead to peace. For example, Abigail convinced David and his army not to avenge themselves on her household (1 Samuel 25:18-35). Jesus also gave an illustration of a king who had no choice but to send out ambassadors to sue for peace.
While diplomats may try to avoid clashes, their main objective is to advance their own nation's interests. The Bible advises against putting trust in diplomats, implying that they do not have the ability or power to devise permanent solutions. Instead, it encourages putting trust in Jesus Christ and supporting God's Kingdom to see a desire for true peace realized.
In addition to diplomacy, peace can be facilitated through human connections and shared experiences. For instance, the Youth Peace Camp brings together young people from different conflicting areas to engage in dialogue and address prejudice, promoting intercultural learning and human rights education. This type of person-to-person contact can lead to peace by fostering understanding, empathy, and the recognition of shared values and experiences.
Overall, while diplomacy has its limitations, person-to-person contact can play a crucial role in achieving peace by building connections, addressing prejudices, and promoting understanding and empathy between individuals from different backgrounds.
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God is with you in all that you do
The Bible has much to say about diplomacy and peace. It is clear that God is with you in all that you do. In the Bible, God promises to bring world peace through his Kingdom. Jesus taught about God's Kingdom more than any other subject during his ministry, and his followers have prayed for that Kingdom to come for centuries.
God is with you, in you, and for you. Philippians 2:13 says, "God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him" (NLT). God is the energy driver in your life, giving you the power to face whatever comes your way. You are not alone, and you are not relying solely on your own willpower. God promises to give you the power you need. The Bible says, "I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you...On that day, you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you" (John 14:18, 20 NIV).
God is always watching over your life. You can wake up every morning and say with confidence, "God, thank you that you're going to be with me today, you're going to be in me today, and you're going to be for me today." This knowledge can help you replace fear with happiness and live your life with boldness and confidence through your faith in God.
While diplomacy may be an important tool for resolving conflicts, the Bible advises against putting your trust in human leaders or diplomats to bring about peace. Instead, those who rest their hope for peace on Jesus Christ and support God's Kingdom will see their desire for true peace realized.
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God's kingdom will bring true peace
Diplomacy has been a common strategy employed by world leaders and diplomats to foster peace and resolve conflicts. However, human efforts to establish world peace through diplomacy have often fallen short, as evidenced by the persistent political divisions and international conflicts that plague our world today.
The Bible offers valuable insights into the limitations of human diplomacy and points to the ultimate source of true and lasting peace: God's Kingdom. Throughout Jesus' ministry, he taught about God's Kingdom more than any other subject, and his followers have prayed for its advent for centuries.
Jesus, the Ruler of God's Kingdom, is called the "Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6, 7). He will bring an end to wars and eliminate nationalism, which is often at the root of many conflicts. Under his rule, there will be no place for those who love violence, as God's soul hates them (Psalm 11:5; Proverbs 2:22).
The Bible promises that God's Kingdom will bring global peace and harmony to the earth (Psalm 72:7). This heavenly government, ruled by Christ Jesus, will extend its influence from Jerusalem to encompass the entire world (Isaiah 9:7). People will no longer live in fear of bombs or violence, and instead, they will enjoy the beauty and security of God's capital city (Zechariah 14:16-21).
Jesus taught his followers how to live together in peace and harmony. By humbly applying his teachings, people can develop personality traits that will enable them to live happily under his Kingdom forever. Those who put their hope in Jesus Christ and support God's Kingdom will see their desire for true peace realized, and they will enjoy it forever (Psalm 37:11, 29).
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Frequently asked questions
God advises against putting trust in diplomats, as they do not have the power to devise permanent solutions.
The Bible says that Christians should not involve themselves in matters of diplomacy, as Jesus himself stated that his kingdom is not of this world.
The Bible suggests that person-to-person contact can lead to peace, as illustrated by Abigail's successful plea to David.
