Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Matthew 5:9
“You can please some of the people all the time. You can please all the people some of the time. But, you cannot please all the people all the time.” A quote I first remember hearing from my grandpa. Now, if you are a person who believes everyone should live in peace, this is a tough reality. And yet we are encouraged to be peacemakers. Before we look at what a peacemaker is, let’s consider what it is not.
Peacemaking is not avoiding conflict or appeasing multiple parties or sugar coating issues. Peacemaking is not the absence of conflict. As peacemakers we cannot simply put our heads in the sand and pretend everything is fine. Notice it says peace-maker. To be a true peacemaker we cannot simply hope for peace, wish for peace or dream of peace.
I am a quilt maker. I make quilts. They do not magically appear when I close my eyes real tight and wish for them. They don’t appear out of thin air. And they are only a dream until I make them. I have to gather the fabric, cut the fabric, sew the pieces in a pattern. Add the batting and backing. Quilt the whole piece and bind the edges. I have to “do” something. Peacemakers have to “do” something. Peacemakers pursue peace.
Jesus, the Prince of Peace is the perfect example of a peacemaker. What was His mission? To provide mankind a way to be reconciled with God. Peacemaking is leading people to reconciliation with God.
For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. Colossians 1:19,20
But, it doesn’t stop there. Peacemaking is also helping people reconcile with each other.
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:36-40
You cannot hate a brother or sister in Christ and be at peace. In fact, peace and hate do not exist in the same circle. Consider this. God is love. God loves everyone. He created all of us. God loves us so much He sent Jesus. Jesus loves us and gave His life so that we could know God, know love. If we know God, we know love. And if God loves everyone, it follows that we should also love others. If we are in conflict with others because of anger or hate, can we be at peace? Can we be a peacemaker?
Peacemaking is not easy. It will involve conflict. So, how do we become peacemakers?
First, we must be at peace with God ourselves. We cannot bring reconciliation with God, peace with God to others if we have not experienced ourselves. It is crucial that we maintain a thriving relationship with the LORD. Talk to Him. Seek Him. Seek His Will. Know His teachings. Know His Word. Do not compromise the message of God to appease others. Do not sugar coat God’s truth to keep from ruffling feathers. Speak from a pure heart.
There will be times people refuse the message of peace. Make the offer, share God’s love and truth, do your part. And then let God be responsible for the results.
If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge, I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Romans 12:18-21
We are the children of God. We are to be peacemakers.
