Blessed Are The Peacemakers

Matthew 5:9

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”

One of the main themes found in scripture is peace. The Bible opens with peace in the Garden and closes with peace in eternity. Sin, however, is the great enemy of peace. Where sin has brought disruption, Christ has brought peace and causes us to be peacemakers.

The Meaning of the Verse

To be a lover and worker of peace is one of the distinguishing marks of those who are followers of the Prince of Peace. A.W. Pink writes,

“It is their desire and endeavor to prevent strife and discord. They are lovers of concord and promoters of unity and healers of breaches. They delight to pour oil on troubled waters, to reconcile those who are estranged, to right wrongs, to strengthen the kindly ties of friendship.”

However, this is not peace at any cost. We are to avoid all needless contention, yet not to the point of sacrificing the truth. That is a false peace and unworthy to be called peace at all.

The Manifestation of the verse

Jesus Christ is the ultimate example of peacemaking. “For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life,” (Romans 5:10). Yes, there is nothing cheap about peacemaking. It cost Jesus his life that we may have peace with God.

In so doing, He makes us peacemakers. The God of peace sent the Prince of Peace who sends the spirit of peace to give the fruit of peace. When God makes a peacemaker, He gives them at least four characteristics:

1. She is one who has been brought into a peaceful relationship with God.
2. She is one who leads others to make peace with God.
3. She is one who helps other make peace with others.
4. She is one who is determined to glorify God.

When you find yourself in a situation wherein peace needs to be made, remember the four G’s of peacemaking.

1. Glorify God: How can I please and honor God in this situation?
2. Get the log out of your own eye: How can I show Jesus’ work in me by taking responsibility for my contribution to the conflict?
3. Gently restore: How can I lovingly serve others by helping them take responsibility for their contribution to this conflict?
4. Go and be reconciled: How can I demonstrate the forgiveness of God and encourage a reasonable solution to this conflict.

The Majesty of the Verse

Peacemaking is a hallmark of God’s children. A person who is not a peacemaker either is not a Christian or is a disobedient Christian. The person who is continually disruptive, divisive, and quarrelsome has a good reason to doubt his relationship with God. So, take an honest assessment of your peacemaking tendencies. If indeed you see that you have a sincere desire to live at peace with others, then rejoice in the glory of being a child of God!