Peacemakers

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. (Matthew 5:9)

Conflict, struggle, and opposition are inevitable. We are going to face many situations throughout our lives where we will find ourselves "at war" with a person, people, or actions/ideologies we don't agree with. The world has and will continue to offer us plenty of reasons to be angry with or oppose one another. If it's not this, it's that. How are we, as disciples of Jesus Christ, supposed to respond to conflict, struggle, and opposition?

We are called to be peacemakers. We are called not to burn bridges, but to build them. Jesus said it, so you can be sure that this isn't an easy thing to do. Our human nature is to fight back and escalate conflict. I think about the time someone wrote something nasty and embarrassing about me in the college paper. My first reaction was to fight fire with fire. An eye for an eye, just as the Bible says, right? If you read the Bible in a vacuum, sure. Well, I'm thankful my sister had enough wisdom to talk me out of using my platform and influence to slander my attacker. Who knows how much worse I could have made the situation?

But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you (Matthew 5:44)

Jesus teaches His followers to love beyond our families and those that will love us back. He teaches His followers to be kind, generous, and merciful towards people that anger us, hurt us, and actively want to destroy us. I'm not saying you should donate to their cause, but God, as always, is thinking about the heavenly matter at stake: eternity. Our thoughts must transcend our worldly affairs and see our lives and others' lives through an eternal lens. That's the very reason why Jesus, while hanging on the Cross, prayed for the men that condemned and nailed Him there. That's the very reason why Paul would continuously preach to his captors and within nations that wanted to eradicate Christians. The Roman government thought of Christianity as a cancer to their civilization, but yet Paul looked beyond their anger and hate, recognizing that their salvation was more important. Hell is very real and the thought of anyone spending eternity there should be terrifying.

Being a peacemaker is not just reserved for the "honors students" of Christianity. Being a peacemaker is a very important piece of evidence that demonstrates our belief in Christ. We confess Jesus with our mouths to receive salvation, but we must go forward living our lives in such a manner that reflects our spoken belief. After all, we demonstrate our worldly beliefs every day in how we live. For example, putting aside all laws and regulations, if you believe wearing a mask will reduce your chance of infection or spreading infection, you are going to wear one. But if you don't believe wearing a mask helps you, you're not going to wear one. Your actions should reflect your beliefs.

That is why if you put on Christ, you better make sure that you are decreasing and He is increasing. His righteousness cannot be worn by us if we do not make a real, genuine effort to carry out living the way He would. I think Christians tend to oversimplify grace and act like it is theirs by default of labeling oneself a "follower." Followers are called such because they actually follow.

Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. (James 3:10)

How ridiculous would you sound if you bragged to your friends all year long about your favorite team winning the championship but then decided to put your money on the other team? You cannot say one thing and then do another thing. I will admit, I have done this a lot. I have escalated conflict when I should have responded with wisdom. I have reacted with hate towards my enemies rather than love. I have sinned. You have and we all have sinned. That is when we repent and get back on the right path. Being content in sin is not OK.

Let's look at the disciple Peter. The night Jesus was betrayed by Judas and delivered into the hands of His enemies, Peter failed to be a peacemaker. Rather, he drew a sword and attempted to stop Jesus' captors from taking Him. Jesus responded by commanding Peter to put down the weapon saying, "Those who live by the sword will die by the sword." As Ephesians 6:12 implies, our battles should not be fought with the weapons of this world - but by the Holy Spirit.

Like Peter, we must learn this. You see, although he failed initially, Peter was still chosen by God. And God did use him to reach the nations with the Gospel. But Peter had to change. He could not continue his old ways. He allowed God to transform him into a peacemaker so the plan of God, which is salvation through Jesus Christ, would continue to spread. In the the Book of Acts, Chapter 10, we see how God helped Peter build a bridge between the Jews and the Gentiles (Jews = Anyone born Jewish, Gentiles = Any non-Jewish person).

I strongly encourage you to read the full passage here: Acts 10.

I believe this passage strongly communicates that the most important thing to our Father in Heaven is our salvation and that He is asking us, like Peter, to build bridges with those who are not like us. It's our job to deliver the truth about heaven, hell, and salvation but we must do that through love, patience, mercy, grace, kindness, empathy, and forgiveness. God bless you and may His grace and peace be with you always.

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. (Romans 12:18)