A Disciple's Be-Atitudes - #7 The Peacemakers

# 7 The Peacemakers

Mt. 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers, 
for they will be called children of God.

Several weeks ago, it was announced that President Obama and the White House would host peace talks between Israel and Palestine. Like several past presidents, President Obama dreamed of helping to bring a peaceable condition between the two nations. Before his arrival, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu expressed that the announced peace talks would be tough and that any agreement reached would have to be ratified in a national Israeli referendum.

Peacemaking is often a tricky as well as challenging function. The work of the peacemaker requires courage for the peacemaker has to take blows from both sides.

Jesus teaches his disciples, living in an occupied and warring environment, “blessed are the peacemakers.” This is a practical beatitude. It’s about lifestyle within the kingdom of God.

This is counter to our natural selves. Naturally our works lead to selfishness, jealousies, envies, resentments and violence. Without God’s involvement nothing within this world can bring peace. A better economy won’t do it. An attempt to bring peace between warring nations won’t do it. The competition at any planned sports events won’t do it. We need the power of God to bring about real peace. Notice how the attempts to bring peace without God – the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit – are mostly artificial and imperfect.

So, who are the peacemakers? The word peacemaker appears only once in the Scriptures. Peacemakers have made peace with God. They are those whose works are in the interest of others whether of family, the world, or the Church. It is said that a peacemaker will sacrifice everything except truth and righteousness.  Peacemakers find joy and satisfaction in subduing animosities, quenching flames of hatefulness, and promoting unity and concord among all people.

So what is the reward for being a peacemaker? Jesus taught, “they will be called the children of God.” This is a great privilege. This privilege carries the right to partake the nature of the Father – the God of Peace. You have the right to partake the nature of the Son – the Prince of Peace. And last, you have the right to take the nature of the Spirit of Peace and Comfort. 

True peacemaking flows from the character of God Himself. Are you a peacemaker? What are the works that you do that lead to peace in your family, job environment, or community?

 Questions:

     1. Who is the peacemaker? 

     2.  Why are peacemakers God's favorites?

     

          

Applications:

          1. We need peacemakers.

              

Romans 5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

Ephesians 2:14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, 16 and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. 17 He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.

        2. Peacemakers lubricate life and keep down friction.

         Romans 14:19 Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual   edification.

        Philippians 2:3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,

        2 Timothy 2:14 Keep reminding God’s people of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen.

3. God calls peacemakers His special children.

Galatians. 4:5 to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. 6 Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.”

         Romans 8:15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

1 John 3:2 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.