Are you a Peacemaker?

Are you a Peacemaker? Matthew 5.9

Good Day!
One of the things I learned from my mother was to be a peacekeeper—good in some respects, not so good in others. I remember how she waited to tell my father things until ‘the right time’ when she thought he would not blow up; I watched and learned from what was modeled. However, Jesus did not say, ‘blessed are the peacekeepers,’ you notice, but rather, ‘Blessed are the peacemakers,

for they will be called children of God.’ Seems there is a difference between the two when it comes to interpersonal relationships and peace. Peacekeeping can be all about avoidance, ‘stuffing down’, passive-aggressive even, whereas peacemaking is positive, requiring humility and good communication, with a goal of resolution.

To talk about peacemaking means we are talking about conflict. Fact is, conflict is a part of life, part of the human condition, a by-product of living in a fallen world. Whether it is the bickering of your two young children, (benignly dubbed ‘sibling rivalry’) … political candidates sparring for votes … or a tenant and landlord head-to-head dispute about an apartment … conflict is a part of life, an element of living in this world, and peacemaking is its antidote. As Christ-followers, how much more must we be deemed those who bring peace! Paul said it so simply to us: If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.1 or put another way, Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.2

As with all of the Beatitudes, if they are not something we wish to be true of us, then perhaps a look in the mirror is due. For instance, if you do not wish to be considered one who makes peace, or works to resolve conflict, then perhaps the second part of the beatitude does not apply to you either. Meaning—if your character is not one of peacemaking, perhaps you are not a child of God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. The Spirit of God is the spirit of peace, which gives evidence of the Holy Spirit within … or not.

Once again, the beatitudes build one upon the other, beginning with Blessed are the poor in spirit—understanding our position before a holy God. Each ought be a value we know about, and wish to be built up in our lives. [wait, what does ‘blessed are the meek’ mean again?] Let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace.3 And so we see the premium Christ put on peacemaking, with it being the top rung of the Beatitude ladder that should be true of our character.

Take a look
PEACEMAKERS

(ladder picture)

I pray that you and I will both see the value of making peace where conflict exists, and helping others come to peace where they are in conflict. It is not okay to just ‘remain at odds’ or ‘at war’ with someone if you have not tried to make peace. Oh it requires meekness—yes, it does—humility and gentleness at times, and courage most of the time.

May we pray like St. Francis~

Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace.

Where there is hatred, let me sow love;

Where there is injury, pardon;

Where there is doubt, faith;

Where there is despair, hope;

Where there is darkness, light;

Where there is sadness, joy.

O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek

To be consoled as to console

To be understood as to understand,

To be loved as to love;

For it is in giving that we receive;

It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;

It is in dying to self that we are born to eternal life.

Pray that God will give you both the courage and desire to be a peacemaker.

Christine

PastorWoman.com

1 – Romans 12.18, NIV; 2 – Romans 12.18, NLT; 3 – Colossians 3.15, NLT