The history of man is a history of war and bloodshed. Even when leaders gather to shake hands and take pictures of self-congratulations for a peace agreement, most often the peace only lasts long enough for the opposing sides to reload. In the midst of this confusion, Jesus said in Matthew 5:9, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”
James 3:17 says, “The wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits.” First is purity, then peace. This world is full of strife because it is filled with sin. This means that peace is not merely a social issue; it is a spiritual issue that must be addressed by spiritual means. Peace is not just the absence of turmoil. It is the positive presence of harmony.
Being a peacemaker does not mean peace at any price. This only leads to greater trouble. Hebrews 12:14 says that we must pursue peace with all people. We will only be able to do this when we empty ourselves of self. We must not be touchy, defensive, always on the edge. James 4:1 says that turmoil comes from our desires that are always at war. We must be willing to put our desires on the back burner. James 1:19 says that we must be swift to hear and slow to speak, slow to wrath. Very often, when we open up and speak our minds and hearts about something, we are brought face to face with the fact that there are things in our hearts that ought not be there. In Romans 14, Paul says that there are many times when we put our way aside in order to have an open gospel opportunity with someone.
Peacemakers will be called the sons of God. Hebrews 13:20 speaks of the God of peace. Isaiah 9:6 calls Jesus the Prince of Peace. He did not grasp His rights, but humbled Himself and died for us so that we could have peace with God (Romans 5:1-2). Being willing to forfeit my rights and my way and focusing on the good of others gives us the opportunity to reflect something of the character of our Savior.
Instead of living the frustration of life being about you and your honor and your rightness and your opinions, let your life be about the greatness of God and His gospel.
Menu
