BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS
“Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.” Matthew 5:9
THE BLESSED MAN is engaged in promoting and seeking to make peace. All children of God should endeavor to be “peacemakers.” There is such a need in our homes, in our churches, and in our world for those who are committed to guarding peace in every way possible. Occasions present themselves often for “peacemakers.” We should use our influence to prevent contention and strife. We are to make every effort to remove hostilities and divisions. Romans 12:18 tells us, “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.”
It is not always possible to reconcile differences, and it may not always be possible to be at peace “with all men.” But the goal of “peacemakers” will be to secure peace whenever it can be achieved. Division is one of Satan’s goals, and it can be devastating. Friendships are shattered, marriages are destroyed, and churches are torn with strife as the enemy works to fracture relationships. We cannot always prevent these painful schisms from occurring, but with God as our Helper, many times reconciliation can be found.
What a wonderful thing it is for us to see God use us to bring divided parties together! Those who are “peacemakers” will be “called the children of God.” We are identified as being like our Heavenly Father when we are committed to making peace whenever it can be found. “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints” (I Corinthians 14:33). God is the Author of peace. When we manifest a spirit of promoting peace, we resemble the character of the Lord. By contrast, those who hinder peace or promote division are not acting as the children of God, but as the instruments of Satan.
The perfect “peacemaker” is the Prince of Peace, “for he is our peace” (Ephesians 2:14). All of us were once in a state of hostility toward God. But the good news of Christ’s death on the cross, the “gospel of peace,” (Ephesians 6:15) removed the enmity and reconciled us to God. As “peacemakers,” we are privileged to work in bringing others into a peaceful relationship with God. We are the ambassadors of Christ and have been given the ministry of reconciliation, seeking to bring lost souls into reconciliation with God.