Matthew 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Are you a peacemaker or would someone label you a troublemaker? Or do you stand aside, indifferent and uninterested? Whatever role you take, we are called by Jesus to be peacemakers. He said the peacemakers are blessed and will be called children of God. I don’t know about you, but when people see me I want them to think, “Wow, she is a child of God.” I want them to look at me and my behaviors/actions and see Him, not me.
The Greek word eirene is again used in this verse, but this time it is a compound word combined with the Greek word poieo, which means to make. It is directly translated as blessed are the peacemakers (to make peace). When we covered eirene the past few days, we saw that it is a supernatural state of wholeness, tranquility, and harmony, all coming directly from God. But when combined with the word poieo we get a statement on wholeness and well-being, as well as active reconciliation, not just escape from conflict.
Being a peacemaker means taking action and not sitting by passively observing. These people take initiative to heal relationships that have been severed and to help overcome evil through positive, Godly actions. A peacekeeper, on the other hand, is simply someone who avoids conflict to maintain a sense of calm. Or to put it another way, peacekeepers work to suppress issues in order to keep the peace (hence peace KEEPER). Peacemakers enter the fray to resolve them, making the peace a reality. As believers, we act as ambassadors of Christ, actively bringing spiritual peace to people by sharing the Gospel with them and helping with reconciliation.
Our actions as peacemakers reflect the heart of God. We choose to actively mirror His character in our behaviors and interactions with others. In the ancient times, when someone resembled someone else’s character, they were recognized as their son, even if they did not share a blood bond. That is what we do as God’s ambassadors, imitating Christ and following His lead. And because of this, we are called children of God. We are adopted into the family, given a new identity, and become recipients of His gift of eternal life.
So how does this relate to us today?
As Christians and ambassadors of Christ, we are called to a higher level of living. We are called to share the Gospel and point others to Him, and through this we help them reconcile relationships, especially the relationship with God. We also need to follow instructions from Matthew 18:15 and take steps to heal broken relationships and address conflict head on. When others are caught up in conflict be sure you don’t take sides. Instead, actively seek ways to reconcile and bring about peace once more. And in our own disagreements, try to understand the other’s view. Exercise empathy and listen to what is being said rather than looking for a reason to argue.
Blessed are the peacemakers. Being blessed is not just about temporary happiness. It means experiencing a state of divine spiritual well-being and approval from God. And when we act on His behalf, when we seek to make peace, He rewards us. He calls us His children and we are blessed.
Prayer: Lord, I want to be a peacemaker for You. Help me to recognize opportunities to do Your work and help bring about resolution between those who are at odds with one another. Amen
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