This week we find our beatitude in Matthew 5:9 which tells us, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” The version The Message says, “You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family.”
As I began studying this beatitude, it didn’t take long to realize that maybe what I was finding wasn’t going to be as easy to swallow as I thought it would be. If I’m honest, I think this has probably been one of the beatitudes which I sort of skimmed over. Why? Because I thought I had this one down. I know I need some growth with the previous beatitudes, but not this one. I’ve always thought of myself as a peaceful person. I don’t like fights or upheaval. So, I figured I could pass over this one.
But of course, I had to dig a little deeper to be able to write about it today, because maybe YOU needed to learn about being a peacemaker. I should know by now that whenever I think that way…it won’t be long until my own toes are feeling rather bruised. So, we will spend more than one week on this convicting beatitude.
So…what is a peacemaker? Peacemakers are those whose life demonstrates peace. This is just common sense, but I think we need to look at with whom we are supposed to be at peace. First of all, I think we need to realize that:
1. Peacemakers are at peace with God. We read in Romans 5:1, “Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord had done for us.” Then, James 4:1-4 tells us, “What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don’t they come from the evil desires at war within you? You wantwhat you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can’t get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them. Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it. And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong – you want only what will give you pleasure.
You adulterers! Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God.”
Well now…James didn’t mince any words here, did he? I’m guessing he didn’t receive the “Most Popular” award from those listening; but he knew he had to preach the truth, even if it made him unpopular. It saddens me that some Christians today, even some in our pulpits, want to sugarcoat the gospel so that everyone feels good and doesn’t get their feelings hurt. As followers of Christ, we are called to speak His Word in truth, even if it doesn’t make us well-liked.
It is obvious from James’ words that if we have anything in our life that isn’t pleasing to God, that sin makes us His enemy. As a result, for us to have peace with God, we need to make sure we don’t have unconfessed sin in our life. Thank goodness, since Jesus died on the cross for our transgressions, we can have our sins forgiven and as a result we can have peace with God. A peacemaker is someone who has ended all conflict with Him and has accepted His Word as absolute truth. You can’t make peace unless you are first at peace with God.
Friends, the truth is that you and I won’t have peace…our cities won’t have peace…our state won’t have peace…our country and world won’t have peace…until we have peace with our God. Peace begins with me. Peace begins with you. But for us to have peace, we need to make sure we are not holding onto those things which come between us and our God. Greed, lust, impure thoughts, adultery, gossip, evil desires, idolatry, hatred toward others, envy and the list goes on. Anything that we are holding onto that puts a wedge between us and our God…will ensure that we won’t have peace.
I think before we continue with this beatitude, it might be a good idea for us to do some self-inventory this week. Is there anything in your life and in my life that isn’t pleasing to God? Are we more concerned about what everyone else thinks of us, instead of making sure we are at peace with Him? Are we willing to stand up for God’s Word, speaking the truth, even when some may turn against us?
I know this hasn’t been a “feel-good” post, but I know there may be those, including myself, who need some toe-stepping. I’m willing to take the chance…will you join me?
Until next week…
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