“For there are many rebellious people, full of empty talk and deception, especially those from the circumcision party. It is necessary to silence them; they are ruining entire households by teaching what they shouldn’t in order to get money dishonestly….. This testimony is true. For this reason, rebuke them sharply, so that they may be sound in the faith and may not pay attention to Jewish myths and the commands of people who reject the truth.” Titus 1:10-11, 13-14 CSB https://bible.com/bible/1713/tit.1.14.CSB
Peace is not the absence of conflict but the resolution of conflict. Our society values peace by avoiding conflict, yet conflict rages around us because issues are never resolved, leaving the bullies and the angry to enforce their will upon everyone else. The church blesses peacemakers as children of God. A peacemaker initiates conflict to resolve a problem to restore a relationship. God initiated conflict by coming to earth as Savior, telling all people they must repent and believe in Him, creating divisions in their religion, in their families, and in the community. Yet, this was the only means for peace with God and restoring our relationship with Him. So, too, leaders in the church, and all Christian fathers are leaders of their home, are to initiate conflict to resolve the false beliefs permeating our society, creating the angst we find in ourselves, with each other, and with God. Ideas have consequences and must be made to align with God’s Truth found in the Bible. We live what we believe, so we must believe the Bible, God’s Truth, if we are to live in obedience to His will, keeping our peace with Him and giving us our best opportunity to live at peace with each other. Loving our neighbor as ourselves means working to get our neighbor at peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. This may take having a conflict with them over their unwillingness to obey His ways, which will result in condemnation. If we truly love others, we will seek to save the lost and teach obedience to everything Jesus commanded, which may mean conflict.
