Blessed are the
peacemakers, For they
shall be called sons of God. Matthew 5:9
Not too long ago I found myself teasing a relative
of mine about a recent quarrel they had with another relative. My intent was not malicious; I just thought
it was fun to inject some levity into the situation. While I was still speaking,
the Lord brought Matthew 5:9 to my mind, “Blessed are the peacemakers.” My conscience would not allow me to continue
on with my banter. I abruptly stopped
and offered an apology. Perhaps what I
saw as just a little playfulness with my relative, may have been stirring-up
some hard feelings about another person, thus making strife not peace.
Some
people go way farther than injecting a little
levity into a situation. Some people delight in stirring up trouble between
people. Their relationships are in shambles, and in some weird way it makes
them feel better if other’s relationships are a mess as well. They thrive off
of the drama that is created in these moments. If you don’t believe me watch
many of those pathetic reality shows on TV (on second thought don’t).
Jesus
says that the peacemakers shall be called sons of God. When a person is a
peacemaker he seeks to reconcile two parties. There is nothing closer to the
heart of God than reconciliation. God sent His Son to the cross so that man
could be reconciled to God. Instead of
stirring up trouble between two people, we should seek to reconcile them. When
you do this you are acting in harmony with the character and nature of your Heavenly
Father.
The
ultimate job for the peacemaker comes not between man and man, but between man
and God. The Apostle Paul considered it
his high calling to have a ministry of reconciliation. He stated “ Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were
pleading through us: we implore you
on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.” 2 Corinthians
5:20 We too should be peacemakers,
acting as God’s ambassador and pleading with those around us to be reconciled to
Him.
Great word!
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