In a world
where conflict dominates, peacemakers are much in demand.
GOD’s WORD is
clear that His children ought to be other than the world and work for peace –
within the body of CHRIST as well as with our fellow man.
During His Sermon
on the Mount JESUS gave His disciples eight statements of blessing, commonly
known as “Beatitudes,” the seventh being, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they
shall be called sons of God.”
Matthew 5:9
Who are JESUS’ peacemakers, exactly?
Peace is one
characteristic of GOD the Father (Romans
15:33, Hebrews
13:20, Philippians
4:7, 1
Corinthians 14:33.)
If our Father
is “peace” so must we be also. GOD’s children must have GOD’s character and we're most
like our Father when His character is revealed in our actions.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible commentary on the seventh beatitude
gives us a very good definition of JESUS’ peacemaker – who they are
and how they would behave. They are those
who:
- “strive to prevent contention, strife, and war; who use their influence to reconcile opposing parties, and to prevent lawsuits and hostilities in families and neighborhoods…There ought not to be unlawful and officious interference in that which is none of our business…”
Sounds about right as there’s plenty in GOD’s WORD to support this statement. Scripture tells
us to:
- Live in harmony with one another…Do not repay anyone evil for evil. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Romans 12:16-21.
- Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. Colossians 3:15
- Seek peace and pursue it. Psalm 34:14; 1 Peter 3:11
- So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another. Romans 14:19
- …be like-minded, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. 2 Corinthians 13:11
- Pursue peace with all men,…Hebrews 12:14
To live out His
WORD is to reveal the person of GOD to the rest of the world.
Only GOD’s children can bring the peace of knowing GOD to others.
One of CHRIST’s
titles is PRINCE of PEACE (Isaiah 9:6).
Before JESUS returned to the Father He promised a legacy of peace to those who
would become the children of GOD: “Peace
I leave with you; my peace I give you.” John
14:27.
By His death on
the cross, JESUS reconciled us back to GOD, the Father who in turn gave us
CHRIST’s ministry of reconciliation here on earth: All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and
gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 2 Corinthians
5:18-21.
Now Peacemaking
is a divine work. For peace means reconciliation, and God is the author of
peace and of reconciliation. … It is hardly surprising, therefore, that the
particular blessing which attaches to peacemakers is that "they shall be
called sons of God." For they are seeking to do what their Father has
done, loving people with his love. John
R. W. Stott, The Message of the Sermon on the Mount
Conclusion
GOD’s children
are the peacemakers here on earth to show others who GOD is and that JESUS is
the way to be reconciled back to Him as their Father.
When we accept the
role of peacemaking, we receive the blessedness of being sons of GOD for it.
Prayer and Thanksgiving: Holy Father, YOU are the GOD of
our peace. We thank you for JESUS CHRIST our PRINCE of PEACE who has reconciled
us back to YOU so we are now YOUR children. Thank YOU that His Spirit teaches
us how to be workers for peace in YOUR Kingdom; that to serve others in this way pleases
YOU and glorifies YOUR
name. Father we love YOU and desire to be more like YOU every day. To YOU we give
all praise, honor and glory forever and ever. We pray in JESUS’ Holy NAME.
Amen.
Always by God’s Word and prayer,
Cecile
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