BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS

SCRIPTURE TEXT:  “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.”- Matthew 5:9 (NIV)
MESSAGE
Peace is a Person – Jesus Christ!  Peace is also a fruit of the Holy Spirit which means it is something we receive from God.  From the Latin pax, meaning “freedom from civil disorder,” the English word came into use in various personal greetings from c.1300 as a translation of the Hebrew shalom.  Such a translation is, however, impressive, as shalom, which is also cognate with the Arabic “salaam,” has multiple other meanings in addition to peace, including justice, good health, safety, well-being, prosperity, equity, security, good fortune, and friendliness.  At a personal level, peaceful behaviours are kind, considerate, respectful, just and tolerant of others’ beliefs and behaviours – tending to manifest goodwill.

Jesus, in His sermon on the mount, says that we should be peacemakers because such people are blessed and will be called the sons of God.  If you are a Christian, that is someone in whom the Spirit of God dwells – “And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ” – Rom. 8:9b (NIV), then you are a PEACE MAKER.

Who is a Peacemaker?
Clarke’s Commentary on the Bible has this to say:  A peacemaker is a man who, being endowed with a generous public spirit, labours for the public good, and feels his own interest promoted in promoting that of others:  therefore, instead of fanning the fire of strife, he uses his influence and wisdom to reconcile the contending parties, adjust their differences, and restore them to a state of unity.  As all men are represented to be in a state of hostility to God and each other, the Gospel is called the Gospel of Peace, because it tends to reconcile men to God and to each other.  Hence our Lord here terms peacemakers the children of God: for as He is the Father of peace, those who promote it are reputed His children.  But whose children are they who foment divisions in the Church, the state, or among families?  Surely they are not of that God, who is the Father of peace, and lover of concord; of that Christ, who is the sacrifice and mediator of it; of that Spirit who is the ‘nourisher’ and bond of peace nor of that Church of the Most High, which is the kingdom and family of peace.

A peacemaker must be wise. This means that a peacemaker must be able to respond to life God’s way.  When Paul learned of the conflicts within the church at Corinth, he lamented, “Is it possible that there is nobody among you wise enough to judge a dispute between believers?” – 1 Cor. 6:5.  James likewise notes the crucial link between wisdom, peacemaking, and the other character qualities.  But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then pace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.  Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness” – James 3:17-18

Any honest person will quickly realize that he does not possess all of these qualities in a fully developed form.  But that should not discourage us from serving the Lord as peacemakers, for God promises to equip us for the tasks He sets before us. First Thessalonians 5:23-24 says, “May God Himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through.  May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The One who calls you is faithful and He will do it.”

PRAYER THOUGHT: “Dear Lord, fill me with the Holy Spirit and let the fruit of peace manifest in my life and relationship. Help me promote and encourage peace in my encounter today and every other day” Amen.

STAY BLESSED