via TJC
“I am a Kingdom Man. I am called to break down barriers and free others from strongholds. I am a Peacemaker. My armor is Truth, Righteousness, Grace and Humility. I will stand in the gap for my neighbor and defend gospel justice for the marginalized.” TJC Creed, 4th Stanza
We are called to represent the Kingdom with victory through Peace (Matthew 5:7). Peacemaking is not peacekeeping. We are not putting on “blue helmets” and keep conflicting parties away from each other. We bring parties together for resolution and reconciliation. Peacemaking is hard, messy and dangerous. It may cost you something. It may cost you everything. It may tarnish your reputation to get between your friend and some other person who has valid points too. You may be called disloyal for upholding what’s right, instead of what’s popular with the group. Jesus says the peacemakers will be called the sons of God (Matthew 5:9). Not those who dominate the other side.
Peacemaking is also the responsibility to step into the gap to stand with those who are experiencing hardship or injustice instead of the peace of God. Gospel justice is caring for my neighbor even when the world says, “their plight doesn’t impact me.” Gospel justice is empathy, with the heart to get into the mess with them so that the weight won’t enslave them any longer.
The Kingdom Man Boaz, could teach a Gospel justice masterclass. Ruth and Naomi were living in hardship. They were widows and Ruth was a marginalized foreigner. Boaz didn’t have to show her grace, he had no obligation to be kind. But kindness was in his character. As Ruth’s mother-in-law Naomi remarked, “He has not stopped showing his kindness to the living and the dead.” Boaz’s legacy was rewarded because of his kindness, not because of his wealth. He becomes the father of Obed, the father of Jesse, the father of David, and more importantly a forefather of Jesus. (Ruth 4:17, Matthew 1:5-16).
Thankfully, peacemaking and Gospel justice were modeled to me my entire life. My grandparents stood in the gap even though they lacked the resources, but somehow they found a way. My father volunteered his legal expertise to free those trapped by educational and racial barriers. My mother visits homeless camps weekly to provide food, clothing and shares the Good News of Christ’s love with those who society wants to move along. As a result, my siblings and our families have picked up the baton and run with it. Whether having “Family Serve Days” at soup kitchens or keeping toiletry bags and gift cards in our cars; to shaping policy and influencing our employers to stand in the gap with us, we continue the legacy of loving our neighbors and empathizing with the marginalized. It’s not a decision, anymore than breathing is a decision, it has become our way of life.
Daily Battle Order:
Stanza 4 challenges us to stand in the Gap for a friend or others who are going through a storm. What hardship or injustice are you standing in the gap for? How are you helping those you do not know?
If you haven’t found a place, I invite you to stand with my family and with these partners:
A Door of Hope: https://www.doorofhopeusa.org/
Shepherd's Gate Health: https://www.shepherdsgatehealth.org
Equal Justice Initiative: https://eji.org
Mighty Oaks: https://www.mightyoaksprograms.org
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