HOW GOD HELPS US LIVE A PEACEFUL LIFE

 
God has created us in the His Image so that we may be like Him, peaceful, loving and good.
God gave us His Son, Christ the Light, who lives within us and enlightens us.
God is within every person and we may speak to that God within others.
God has placed us in His Kingdom here on earth and we will live in His Kingdom in Heaven for eternity.
God shows us how to live a simple life and share with others.


WE ARE  CREATED IN THE IMAGE OF GOD

We are created in the His Image so may be like Him, peaceful, loving and good.

Being created in the Image of God means that everyone may:

• be pure
• be holy
• be righteous
• live good, moral lives
• know right from wrong
• love others
• live a peaceful life

Because we are created in the Image of God our decisions are not completely selfish and self-serving but do consider other people’s wants and needs.

We can live a full life and use the gifts that God has given us.

Part of being in the Image of God is that we can share in the day to day process of creation.

Of course both men and women are created in the Image of God.


CHRIST THE LIGHT LIVES WITHIN US

Christ lives within us as the Light so we are enlightened by Him.

     Christ the Light lives within everyone, helps us, shows us what is right and wrong.

     Christ the Light said, “I am the way who doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world, and no man cometh to the Father but by me, every man having a light from Christ the way, it leads to the Father.”

     The Light comes from and gives knowledge of God.

     The Light is within us.  He is with us everywhere no matter where we are or whom we are with.

 THE LIGHT IS WITHIN US TO LOVE, PROTECT AND TEACH US           


WE CAN FIND, OR ANSWER, THE GOD IN OTHERS

We may find God in everyone and speak to that God within them.

Answering means having empathy and showing courtesy and respect for others.

     To find the God or the Good within every person the truth, goodness and purity within one person speaks to the truth, goodness and purity in the other person.

     We can understand others, have empathy with them, respond to that which is equal, just, and true in ourselves and in every other person.

     We are courteous and show respect for the other person.

GOD’S KINGDOM

 We live in God’s Kingdom now and forever.

     Peacemakers live in God’s Kingdom which is both "come" and "coming." It is "come;" present within each person who tries to do God’s will. It is also "come" with Christ reigning over the world. The Kingdom "coming." is the final stage of humanity.

     This Kingdom will never be destroyed. God’s goodness will become the everyday standard for the universe.

     This Kingdom is not a human kingdom but spiritual and eternal. We live in it now and forever.

A SIMPLE LIFE

We may live a simple life and share with others.

     A life as a peacemaker is not possible unless one lives a simple life. The two essential elements of the simple life are equality and sharing.

     Because God creates us in His Image and lives within us as the Light, we are members of His family. This makes everyone equal.

     Sharing means to take only our fair share in the first place and then give away our surplus.

GOD CREATES US IN HIS IMAGE

     God creates men and women in His own Image. Everyone may be like God, pure, holy, perfect and righteous. These are moral characteristics. What Fox seems to be saying is that we may be like God in that we may live good moral lives. We are in God's Image in that we know right from wrong, good from evil. We are capable of loving others, of living a peaceful life, of being pure and chaste.

     Because God creates us in His Image and lives within us as the Light, we have great value and may be truly human. Our decisions need not be completely selfish and self-serving but may consider other people’s wants and needs. We may live a full life and use the gifts that God has given us.

     It is possible to lose the Image of the Creator and to be driven from God on the earth. For some people are out of the Image of the Creator and set up images of strange gods made of stone and wood. But if we dwell in the Light and wait upon God, He will renew His Image. Christ Jesus redeems men and women up into the image of God as we were before we fell. In Christ it becomes clear what being in the Image of God means.

WE ARE CREATED IN GOD'S IMAGE

     The biblical underpinning for this belief is Genesis 1: 27: So God created man in His own Image, in the image of God created He him; male and female created He them.

     This means that we may be like God, pure, holy, perfect and righteous. These are moral characteristics.

     What Fox seems to be saying is that we may be like God in that we may live good moral lives.

     
     Of course, Fox believes that God creates both men and women in His Image.


     In marriage men and women are restored and sanctified in the image of God. The couple are help-meets in righteousness in the image of God. Everyone is to be a new man or woman, renewed in the Image of God.


        An image is a copy, not the real thing. For we certainly are not God; God is radically different from us. However, we are in God's Image in that we know right from wrong, good from evil. God is Love. One way in which we are in the Image of God is that we may love Him in return.

    
     Part of being in the Image of God is that we share in the day-to-day process of creation, have children, do a job well, write a story, have a garden. We have a responsibility for the environment, are kings and queens over creation and all creatures.

    
     We may lose or fall from the Image of God, if we turn away from His pure spirit.

     But if we dwell in the Light and wait upon God, He will renew His Image.

     Then we may be made like God, created anew in His Image, pure, holy, perfect and righteous. Sinners may be healed if we dwell in the Light and wait upon God for He may renew His Image.

     Christ Jesus restores faithful men and women into the Image of God and makes them as kings and priests to reign upon the earth. Everyone may be renewed into the Image of God by the Seed Christ. For He redeems man and woman up into the image of God as we were before we fell.

     We are not only created in the Image of God but also “bear” the image of the Just Christ who suffered by the unjust. It would seem to follow that we may be just, too. In 1656 Fox writes in letter 110 to Friends in prison to be examples, patterns to the other prisoners in the Image of the Son of God. In Christ it becomes clear what being in the Image of God means.

    
     Being created in the Image of God means that we are truly human. It means that we are of value because God lives within us. Our decisions are not completely selfish and self-serving but do consider other people’s wants and needs. We may live a full life and use the gifts that God has given us.

    
     To live a complete life we, "should know the Power and Life of Christ’s resurrection, have fellowship with Him in His death so that we will be comfortable to His Image.”

HOW DOES BEING CREATED IN THE IMAGE OF GOD EFFECT OUR EVERYDAY LIVES?

GOD MAKES IT POSSIBLE TO LIVE A
PEACEFUL LIFE IN A VIOLENT WORLD

CREATED IN THE IMAGE OF GOD.
CHRIST THE LIGHT LIVES WITHIN US.
FIND GOD IN EVERY OTHER PERSON.
LIVE IN GOD'S KINGDOM ON EARTH;

LIVE IN GOD'S KINDOM IN HEAVEN.
LIVE A SIMPLE LIFE AND SHARE WITH OTHERS.

GOD CREATES US IN HIS IMAGE
    
     We are the best human beings that we can be. Our decisions are not completely selfish and self-serving but do consider other people’s wants and needs. We can live a full life and use the gifts that God has given us.

     Part of being in the Image of God is that we can share in the day to day process of creation.

     Of course both men and women are created in the Image of God.


AN IMAGE IS A COPY NOT THE REAL THING
    
     An image is a copy, not the real thing. For we certainly are not God; God is radically different from us. However, we are in God's image in that we know right from wrong, good from evil. We are capable of loving others, of living a peaceful life, of being pure and chaste.

Created in the Image of God means

that we are truly human;

that we are of value because God lives within us;

that we may share, in a very small way, with God in Creation.

HOW DOES BEING CREATED IN THE IMAGE OF GOD EFFECT OUR EVERYDAY LIVES?

On Being a Business Person in the Image of God.

     No matter how much it may  be to a self-perceived advantage, we are not to wrong any man or woman, covet the possessions of others, oppress anyone, live highly on other men’s means, go beyond our capacity, nor reach after things more than we can justly perform.

     We are to keep out of debt and keep our word in all our dealings.

     Any person who has done a wrong to anyone should be held accountable and must make restitution speedily.

CHRIST THE LIGHT LIVES WITHIN EVERYONE

CHRIST THE LIGHT LIVES WITHIN EVERYONE

     The Light is within us. He is with us everywhere no matter where we are or whomever we are with. We should love the Light within.

      The Light calls us to repentance. He sets a watch over all our thoughts, words, and actions. He also helps us so that we can change, and will give us the strength, the courage to give up whatever we are doing wrong.

     Secretly, the Light will lead us out of darkness.

     Although the Light is many things to Fox, primarily He is Christ. Christ, who knew no sin, was crucified for us in the flesh, buried, rose again the third day by the power of His Father.

     Christ the Light will enlighten us, give us understanding.


ALL MUST BELIEVE

All must believe in the Light Christ who is

• a heavenly Light,
• a divine Light,
• a saving Light,
• the Light of the Glory of God.

 The Light is Power. This power will shake the earth and remove it out of its place.


BE CONTENT IN THE LIGHT


     In the Light we receive the love of God. Be content in the Light for It is comfort, wisdom, love and mercy. The Light is truth, He is pure, He is sufficient.


THE LIGHT CHRIST WILL CLOTHE US

     The Light is spiritual but it gives material support as well. He will clothe us if we love and obey Him.


CHRIST THE LIGHT IS ONE


     There are not individual Lights; the Light is One. The Light is consistent, doesn't differ in different persons, male or female, young or old. Always the same, He doesn't differ throughout time.

     Although the Light is given to all, even to unbelievers, we don't own It.

     Friends should not fear the power of darkness for we have the bright morning Star in our hearts to expel it. All men’s and women’s strength is in the power of God which goes over the power of darkness.

     Everyone should be faithful having on the armor of Light which was before the power of darkness; everyone should walk in Righteousness and Holiness in the Power of God which goes over the power of darkness.

     The Light and the Power of God make an end to all unholiness.

     We may know the Light and taste His  Power. Power is Christ’s name: the Name of Christ who is Power and Light in us all.

     As always for Fox, Christ is the answer. Through His power and strength, we will be able to do all things.

CHRIST THE LIGHT

WHO IS THE LIGHT CHRIST IN WHOM WE MUST BELIEVE?

The Light:

     before the world began
     binder up of the broken
     blots out sin and transgression
     breaks the bonds of iniquity
     bring back that which was driven away
     comes from the Father of Light
     comprehends all ways
     condemns sin
     created all things.
     discovers all things and makes them readily seen
     and understood
     enlightens
     first step to peace
     from Christ Jesus
     gives thee Faith
     gives victory over the world
     justifies us to God
     Kingdom of heaven
     lets us see our sin and saves us from this sin
     lets us see Christ, the way to the Father of
     Light, from whence light comes.
     Life
     lighteth every man that cometh into the world
     Mediator between God and man
     not of the world
     not natural and created
     only way to go to the Father
     peace
     reconciles us to God
     reigns
     restorer and seeker of the lost
     saves us from sin
     spiritual and eternal
     True Light by whom the world was made
     True Light who was glorified with the Father
     True light who lighteth every man and woman way, truth, and
     life
     way leads to the Father
     wisdom which comes from above

NO PEACE WITHOUT GENUINE EQUALITY

GENUINE EQUALITY

BECAUSE EVERYONE IS CREATED IN THE IMAGE OF GOD

AND CHRIST THE LIGHT LIVES WITHIN US EVERY PERSON IS VALUABLE

We are created in the Image of God; Christ lives within us; God loves each and every one of us the best.

 ALL PERSONS HAVE

spiritual equality

equal access to God

the same sorts of responsibilities

also similar opportunities to use
the gifts that God has given them.



GOD IS OUR FATHER AND WE ARE MEMBERS OF HIS FAMILY   

     We are members of His family; we are equal. Men and women of every religion, skin color, and ethnicity participate in this equality.

    
     All persons do not have the same abilities; some have a greater understanding. Nonetheless, God makes a way open for everyone and only expects us to live up to the measure of the Light within us.

All persons

• may know and experience God and the Light. 
• have rights and priviledges.
• may follow a holy path, which may include a career, using the gifts that God has given them.

In marriage husband and wife are colleagues, allies and co-workers.

Because God lives within us as the Light and we are created in His image, we are members of His family, all equal.

Every person of every religion, skin color and ethnicity participate in this equality.

HOW DO WE FIND THE GOD IN OTHERS?

WE CAN FIND THE GOD IN OTHERS


God Almighty preserve you that you may spread his blessed Truth abroad, and answer it in all people. Amen


To find the God or the Good within every person the truth and goodness within one person speaks to the truth and goodness in the other person.

We can understand others, have empathy with them, respond to that which is equal, just, and true in ourselves and in every other person.

We are courteous and show respect for the other person.

ANSWER THAT OF GOD IN EVERYONE

ANSWER OR FIND THAT OF GOD IN EVERYONE

A VERY IMPORTANT JOB

     One of our most important jobs is to answer the good in everyone in all our words and lives. Answer, or find, the just God within all people; answer or find the equal principle which says treat everyone justly and fairly.

     Witness also to the life of God in ourselves.


RESPECT  COURTESY AND DIGNITY

     All persons deserve respect, courtesy and dignity because they are created in the limage of God and Christ the Light lives within them..

     If we are merchants,  farmers, or students, in fact whoever we are,  we treat all people justly according to that of God in them and the Life of God in ourselves. We hate  deceit and live in the righteous life and Power of God respecting all persons.

     If we are in business, we speak the truth. We wrong no one, deal honestly with everyone, keep our word, keep accurate accounts, use just weights and measures.

     When dealing in commerce, buying and selling, peacemakers don’t use fraudulent or deceitful practices.   We don’t treat poor customers differently from rich ones.  We don't sell  using high pressure tactics, but treat the customer as a free, rational human being. 


KEEP LOW

     We keep low in the Power of God and walk in integrity, don’t go beyond our capacity.

(Fox admonishes Friends to "keep low" several times in his pastoral letters. This would seem to be good advice today, too.  This means that we are not to call attention to ourselves, get the notice of authorities who may harm us  and drag us into their violence.)


BE PLAIN

     Be plain, that is, live the simple life. In this way we have peace and are a blessing to the Lord.

     Direct every person, children and employees, under us with God’s Wisdom.


FINANCES

     Keep out of debt; owe nothing to anyone but love, Fox quoting  Romans 13:8

THE SIMPLE LIFE

THE SIMPLE LIFE

Some synonyms for simple are:

• unadorned
• unaffected
• free from deceit
• unpretentious
• uncomplicated
• plain living 

A SIMPLE LIFE MAKES THE WORLD A MORE PEACEFUL PLACE

     But the simple life is not about me and what I want. It is a way of making the world work in a peaceful way and of  rightly sharing  the world's resources.

     One thing that the simple life is not is nostalgia for the past. Whatever I am doing about the simple life should have meaning right now.

     I've never talked to a Quaker who didn't think that they were living a simple life. The idea of what constitutes this life varies from person to person. In the house of one Friend I may sink down in Persian carpets while at the home of another, I sit on an orange crate for a chair.

JOHN WOOLMAN

     The best Quaker example of the simple life is John Woolman, a Quaker who lived about the time of the American Revolution.  He owned a shop where he sold things like shirts, tea and chocolate. However he felt that his shop was just doing too well!! He was making too much money!!

     Business increased every year and it seemed as if the shop was going to grow very large.

     In John's view, people were meant to make enough money for their needs, no more than that.

     If he learned to be a tailor, John believed that he could care for his family. Since he had a small family, he felt that they needed less. So he closed his shop and earned his living as a tailor and by operating a nursery selling apple trees.

     He learned to be content with a plain way of living and having real conveniences that did not cost so much. He didn't want anything that was just showy. (I don't know how his wife and daughter felt about this.) He did not want to become deeply involved in making money. Then there would be time to do what God wanted him to do with his life.

     John believed in a providential God, One who had a plan for his life; he tried to understand this plan and live it.

     Woolman's is one extremely admirable way of living the simple life.  In our own times and circumstances there are many others.

ABUNDANCE MAKES SIMPLICITY POSSIBLE

     The choice to live a simple life is really a luxury. It is a great and wonderful gift to be able to choose. Only because I have way too much can I chose to live with less. Many people have a life of poverty. This really isn't a choice; it rarely is a simple life. Abundance makes the choice of simplicity possible.

     For the simple life to work I must be committed to loving God, putting Him first in my life. Then I must have an unselfish single mindedness to love and serve Him and serve others.

PEACE IS ONLY POSSIBLE LIVING A SIMPLE LIFE

THE SIMPLE LIFE

REJOICE YOU SIMPLE ONES WHO LOVE SIMPLICITY.  Fox Pastoral Letter 16, 1652.


     A life as a peacemaker is not possible unless one lives a simple life. The two essential elements of the simple life are equality and sharing.

     Because God creates us in His Image and lives within us as the Light, we are members of His family. This makes everyone equal.

     Sharing means taking only one's fair share to begin with and then giving away the surplus.

     A simple life has God as its center and one main direction, to serve Him. It is a plan, consciously made, to have the physical part of life under discipline so that there will be more time for the spiritual: time to say our prayers and meditate, time for family, time to read or study.

     But garden, house and job are a part of of loving God and living a simple life.
 
     Our possessions should not determine our worth as  persons; they should not be the most important thing in our lives.

     A few people have lots of things, much more than they can ever use, and a great many people do not even have the bare necessities. These persons without possessions are rarely accorded much dignity or respect.  They deserve this respect  for they have great value because they are created in the Image of God and Christ the Light lives within them.

     A simple lifestyle gives everyone the possibility of a life of dignity and respect.  The adoption of a simple life would be the answer to many problems and  ills of the world.

NO PEACE WITHOUT SIMPLICITY

THE PATH OF A PEACEFUL LIFE.

     A simple life is an important part of being a peacemaker.

     A simple life has God as its center and one main direction, to serve Him.

     It is a plan, consciously made, to have the physical part of life under discipline so that there will be more time for the spiritual. 

     There should be time to say my prayers and meditate, time for family, time to read or study.

     But garden, house and job are also ways of loving God and showing this love. I should, of course, have some concern for the well being of others as well as my own.

My Fair Share of the World's Resources

     As there get to be more and more people and fewer and fewer resources in the world, there is more competition, more violence expended to acquire them. The peaceful way is sharing. There would be plenty to go around if I take only my fair share, what I need, and share with others who do not have enough.

     I have to have material possessions but they should not determine my worth as a person; they should not be the most important thing in my life. At a Quaker discussion of this question a 400 foot living space was suggested as a fair share. So I bought an old 10 by 40 trailer. That's not much space. I have to admit that the first thing I thought about was adding a porch.

    Of course, I must only take my share and leave the shares of others alone. I must do this if I want peace, not war, some chance for people's dreams to come true for themselves and their children.

     The other side of sharing is not taking more than my share in the first place. I should, of course, give back to the earth whatever I can by recycling, composting, improving the soil. For many persons living the simple life there is a reverence for nature, seeing God in his works. With this reverence comes a responsibility for the proper use of the world's resources.

     One aspect of being created in the Image of God is that I try to make ecologically sound decisions - organic gardening, no more poisons, recycle, compost. Along with this reverence for nature may be the wish to be as self-sufficient as possible.

     A simple life plan includes sharing food and clothing with others as I have it to spare and they need it. But most often in our society today the need is for money or the need can most easily be met by giving money.

     We should not make ourselves wards of the state. However, this puts a tremendous responsibility on us. If WE call the shots, listen to OUR conscience, go with OUR experience, decide just what is needful and what OUR share is and how much WE should share with others, it's easy to be very SELFISH, to make all OUR decisions to OUR own advantage.

     Fox says that WE won't do this if WE apply to that which is pure within US.

     Lets hope he is right.

HOW DOES GOD HELP US HANDLE VIOLENCE?

GOD HELPS US HANDLE VIOLENCE.

Avoid dangerous situations.

Accept physical abuse and suffering.
Christ suffered; the godly and holy also suffer.

Confront our persecutor.

SOME THOUGHTS ON HOW TO CONFRONT OUR PERSECUTORS

Identify yourself.
Be informed.
Don’t have a self-serving agenda; always have a caring universalist agenda.

But we must always follow our conscience.

Document everything. Be specific as to the suffering or injustice —name names, identify crimes, get witnesses. Try to find peaceful solutions. Look at the problem from a different point of view.

Use whatever legal means are at your disposal.

SPIRITUAL WEAPONS

our shield is our faith
our sword is the word of God
our baptism is that of the spirit
our swords are beaten into ploughshares

As peacemakers, we have spiritual weapons to use in the fight for peace. These are the only weapons which promote the coming of God’s Kingdom; these are the only weapons which will bring the truth and blessings of God to men.

The only offensive spiritual weapons are the word of God, inspired words, persuasion, truth, preaching against sin in high places, and confronting persons of high social rank.

LOVE OUR ENEMIES

HOW CAN WE DO THESE DIFFICULT THINGS?

How do we know when to let the waves break over our heads and when to confront our persecutors? We must live a life of purity, goodness, and generosity.

Purity is absolutely essential to living a good life and being our best selves, our real selves. If our thoughts are pure, we know the truth. We see things as they really are.

GOD’S PLAN FOR LIVING A PEACEFUL LIFE

Universalist

• Everyone may know God.
• We use universal, inclusive language such as
• “all, everyone, people everywhere, citizens.”

Created in the Image of God

Everyone may be pure, holy, and righteous, live good moral lives, know right from wrong, love others, live a peaceful life.

Every person is valuable

Created in the Image of God,
Christ lives within us
God loves each and every one of us.

SOME THINGS TO THINK ABOUT

What are the five parts of God’s plan that helps each of us to live peacefully in the world?

1. We are created in the image of God so we can be like Him peaceful, loving and good.
2. Christ lives within us as the Light and gives us knowledge and understanding.
3. We can witness too, and “answer the peace and goodness in all persons.”
4. We live in God’s peaceful Kingdom on earth; we will live in God’s heavenly Kingdom for eternity.
5. We can live a simple life and share with others.

What is the Quaker heritage of witnessing for peace?

Everyone's job is to keep the Peace of the Prince of princes.

Christ leads us into all Truth and never asks any one to make war.
The Quaker Peace testimony tries to build trust between people and nations.
The Peace testimony has found expression as conscientious objection, disarmament, and relief work for victims of war.
The Peace testimony demonstrates Fox’s belief in universality, the brotherhood of all people.

Who does God love the best?

Me, myself, and I. You too. God loves everyone the best.

What is genuine equality?

Genuine equality means that everyone may have spiritual insights and come to know God.
Both men and women have equal access to God, equal responsibilities and obligations in marriage.
Everyone may use the gifts that God has given them.


How do we answer the God within every person?

     Answering means finding the God or the Good within every person.

1. The truth and goodness within one person speaks to the truth and goodness in the other person.
2. We can understand others, have empathy with tothers.
3. We can respond to that which is equal, just and true in ourselves and in every other man and woman. 

What does it mean that Christ lives within us as the Light and gives us knowledge and understanding?

     This is the central belief of the Religious Society of Friends. Christ Jesus is the way who enlightens, i.e., gives knowledge and understanding.

Who is the Light Christ, and what does the Light do for us?

     The Light comes from God the Father and is glorified with Him.

     The Light is not of the world, being immortal and eternal.

     The Light gives knowledge of God.

     The Light lives within everyone, helps us, shows us what is right and wrong.

     The Light reconciles sinners to God and to one another.

     The Light destroys the devil.

     The Light is the healer; He is the Mediator between God and man, reconciles us to God, justifies us to God.

 

How does having the power of an endless life make us free?

 

When will the kingdom of God come?

      God’s kingdom has both come and is coming. It is “come;” present within each person who tries to do what God wants them to do with their lives, and who gives Christ first place in their lives and loyalties.

 

     The Kingdom is present right now so we needn’t be concerned about necessities like food, drink and clothes because they will follow. It has also “come” with Christ reigning over the world.

     “Coming.” is the final stage of humanity. This Kingdom shall never to be destroyed; this Kingdom is not a human kingdom, but spiritual and eternal.

What is the Kingdom of Peace and how do we relate to it?

     We must seek and enjoy the everlasting Kingdom of Peace in which we come to know peace and the end of war. In the Kingdom of Peace all people live in harmony and neighborliness. Friends live in the Peaceable Kingdom of Christ Jesus. (The Peaceable Kingdom is the vision of all people living in harmony and neighborliness, seeking the good and welfare of all.)

Why must everyone suffer?

     Christ suffered; the Godly must also suffer. We show our love for Christ by sharing His sufferings. Saints will see the end of all wars but we must suffer first. Suffering is a gift of God.

How can Friends, under persecution, help themselves?

     Although Fox expects everyone to have total allegiance to Christ the Light and accept suffering, he still gives detailed instructions about confronting persecutors,

• preparing documents,
• going to court, 
• and how to behave there.

     Today we can do the same sorts of things by writing letters, emails, and confronting people with power gently.

 

     Fox also wrote a great many booklets and pamphlets confronting the persecutors and trying to change their minds.  If he were living today, he would write a blog.

     If early Friends had to go to court, they kept a copy of all their sufferings and the names of their
 persecutors. Two or three who saw the events take place should witness these documents. These documents should be either taken to court or sent to the king.

     Evidence should be written down, signed, and witnessed and presented o the judge when he comes.

     Today, this would be an appeal to the president and congress.

What does Fox feel are the principal duties of Peacemakers?

• to know God,
• to seek peace,
• to be righteous,
• to provide for the welfare of others,
• to encourage peace for all.