02.03,2021
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God (Matthew 5:9).
We are considering the Beatitudes. These pithy sayings by the Lord Jesus are embedded in the memory of most who grew up in a Christian culture. They preview the ideal life that will prevail in the Millennial Kingdom. They also point out the steps in a godly life.
First, we need to become poor in spirit. It is vital that we recognize we have a need. No one can come to Christ until they first realize that they are lost!
Second, we mourn over our sin. Sin is serious business because it is committed against a thrice-holy God who is also a God of grace.
Third, we must be meek. We come before God with humility in recognition of His holiness and our sinfulness. We come in faith to the Father through the Son.
Fourth, we have a thirst for righteousness. Having received the gift of eternal life, we long to please Him who loved us and gave Himself for us.
Fifth, we learn to be merciful, to think of others rather than ourself. We forgive, give in, find the middle ground, and show mercy to others where perhaps we would have previously shown contempt.
Sixth, not only does our attitude toward others change, so does our attitude toward God. We no longer see Him as a distant authoritarian, rather, we see Him as our loving Father, and we long to be like Him. The Scripture declares that one day this will indeed be so. In light of this hope, we purify ourselves now, even as He is pure. (1 John 3:1-3)
In the seventh step in the walk of godliness, we become a peacemaker. The Bible speaks about peace close to 400 times. God is the source of peace and His Son is the Prince of peace. The enemy of peace is sin. The greatest display of peace this world has ever seen is the cross of Calvary. When a person comes to Christ, when he is at peace with God because of Jesus Christ and His cleansing blood, that person becomes an agent of peace in this troubled world.
James is helpful in our understanding of what it means to be a peace-maker. Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? Let him show out of a good behavior his works with meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, do not glory, nor lie against the truth. This wisdom descends not from above, but is earthly, sensual, and devilish. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown of peace in them that make peace. (James 3:13-18)
In practical terms, what does this mean? The believer doesn’t postpone making apologies. He doesn’t seek to repay, revenge, or avenge. He gives in when he can without violating his principles.
It is difficult to make peace, and to bring it to the place where it does not exist. We need to work actively for peace among those who are antagonistic. Yet, nothing more clearly expresses the character of God the Father than the ministry of reconciliation. After all, that is what He accomplished at the cross through the substitutionary death of His Son for us.
The seventh step to a life of godliness is being a peacemaker; a public testimony that attracts others to the Savior. Great peace have those who love Your law, and nothing shall offend them. (Psalm 119:165).