Our attention lately has been drawn to the Peace Corps; not so much by the fact of the doubling
of its annual appropriation from Congress, but rather because of the number of Christian young
people who are considering joining its ranks. Having examined Peace Corps literature, we propose
to state its position briefly and see if this is an appropriate service for the child of God.

The Peace Corps’ main objective is "to promote world peace and friendship by making available
to interested countries Americans who will:

1. Help the people of these countries meet their needs for trained manpower.

2. Help promote a better understanding of the American people on the part of the peoples served:
and

3. Help promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of the American people."

(From "Peace Corps Facts," p. 2, emphasis ours.) Adult applicants from every walk of life are
selected, trained and placed in many foreign countries of the "free world." Their financial needs
in service are met by appropriate allowances, as well as by a readjustment fund to help them re-
enter private life when their two-year term of duty is finished.

The Peace Corps is only one of the scores of organizations which has the promotion of world
peace as its underlying aim. But we are sure of the futility of the repeated efforts of man to pick
off the fruits of sin without realizing what really produces them. What has caused the turmoil,
strife and trouble in and between the nations of the world today? Is it not sin? Yes! Sin entered
in by one man, Adam, through his disobedience to God. He passed on to all his progeny the
human nature, not innocent as he received it from his Creator, but fallen, in sin. It is man’s
enslavement to sin and Satan, and his motivating principles of the "lust of the flesh, and the lust
of the eyes, and the pride of life" (I John 2:16) that drive him to the distressing ends of depravity.

Surely, the Peace Corps’ program of help through "training" and "understanding" cannot remedy
the world’s ills one whit. Was there not a good understanding among all peoples of the earth when
"the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech" (Gen. 11:1)? Was there a shortage of
"trained manpower" when "they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may
reach unto heaven" (Gen. 11:4)? Be assured that many of man’s united skills and abilities of the
past still baffle today’s technology! Can then the countless lesser breaches that have come in
between men and nations since Babel’s tower be remedied in any lasting way by any of man’s
peace efforts today? We believe it is all a delusion, and know that when at last they shall say
"Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, . . . and they shall not escape" (I
Thess. 5:3). God’s Word persuades us that the world will know nothing but continued strife until
the true Prince of Peace is on the throne here in the future reign of Christ.

Admirable though it may seem, Peace Corps is not God’s way of bringing peace. It seems to us
but a finger to plug the gaping hole, in the dike holding off disaster_or, but a sandbag on the

weakened dams attempting to restrain the floods of evil. However, God has not permitted evil to
go past the bounds He has set. The Holy Spirit is in the world "letting" or "hindering" "until he
be taken out of the way" (2 Thess. 2:7).

In the meanwhile, for the last two thousand years, God, "not willing that any should perish," has
delighted in sending forth the gospel of His grace. This gospel is to be proclaimed to all nations!
The Lord said to "teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and
of the Holy Ghost:teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you" (Matt.
28:19,20). The "corps" established of God did not begin with the act of Congress in 1961, but
with the word of a risen Christ before ascending to glory, and the following descent of the Holy
Spirit. These "corpsmen" are representatives of heaven, not of an earthly nation. They are
ambassadors of Jesus Christ instead of Uncle Sam. Their gospel is not one of "training,"
"understanding" or "westernization" but of reconciliation; beseeching men:"be ye reconciled to
God." God has given the gospel of Christ, which is the power of God unto salvation for
"obedience of faith among all the nations" (Rom. 1:5, J.N.D. trans.). They preach peace by Jesus
Christ, salvation by grace through faith, to all who obey God’s command to repent. Being justified
by faith the believers "have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Rom. 5:1). What a
contrast between these "corps" and their messages! We are reminded that "my thoughts are not
your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher
than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts" (Isa.
55:8,9). God’s way of taking "out of them (the nations) a people for his name" (Acts 15:14), is
by the gospel of His grace; gathering "together in one the children of God that were scattered
abroad" (John 11:52) and "bringing many sons unto glory" (Heb. 2:10).

Now, dear reader, which of these "corps" attracts your new nature in true service to God and your
fellows? Which truly holds the greatest opportunities for joy, experience, blessing, and the
commendation of the Lord? What will His "Well done" mean when He reviews your path and
each shall have his praise from God! We pray that the Lord will swell the ranks of His own
"corps" by those believing bondslaves of the Prince of Peace. May they launch out in true faith
and confidence in the One they serve.

"How shall they hear without a preacher? and how shall they preach, except they be sent" (Rom.
10:14,15)?

"Now I send thee,
to open their eyes,
and to turn them from darkness to light,
and from the power of Satan unto God,
that they may receive forgiveness of sins,
and inheritance among them which are sanctified
by faith that is in" Christ Jesus (Acts 26:17,18).

Won’t you respond with Isaiah, "Lord, . . . Here am I; send me." (Isa. 6:8)?