Blessed Are the Peacemakers

From Advent: A 25 Day Countdown to Christmas on YouVersion

As we consider the ways God calls us to be at peace with Him and with one another, it’s okay if you find yourself asking questions like, “If God made peace with us through Jesus, then why is there still so much conflict in the world around me?”

We all have areas where we might feel like we’re missing peace. It could be in our relationships with our family, the people we work with, or even tensions at church. Maybe it feels larger, like global, political, or social tensions.

If peace is a state of wholeness, calm, and renewal between us, God, and others, how do we respond when we don’t feel peaceful?

We can start by looking at Jesus’ words during His famous Sermon on the Mount:

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” – Matthew 5:9 NIV

Jesus calls all of us to be peacemakers because God isn’t done fighting for peace. He’s chosen to include us in His special plan to bring wholeness, calm, and renewal to everyone and everything.

Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience. We are not commending ourselves to you again but giving you cause to boast about us, so that you may be able to answer those who boast about outward appearance and not about what is in the heart. For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.

From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. – 2 Corinthians 5:11-21 ESV

In 2 Corinthians 5, the Apostle Paul refers to this idea, calling followers of Jesus “ambassadors of Christ.” If you think about an ambassador in a government setting, their job is to create and keep peace between two countries.

We have the same job, except instead of making peace between countries, we make peace between God and people.

Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.  But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. – James 3:13-18 ESV

Peace is a process—it’s not all or nothing. We are all on a journey to have perfect peace between ourselves and God. And we are called to lead others on their journey to do the same.

So, why is there still conflict? Because God’s not done yet, and neither are we. This Christmas, as we remember God’s ultimate ambassador, Jesus, let’s commit ourselves to finishing the mission He gave us.

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” – Matthew 28:19-20 NIV

Pause and Pray:

Lord, thank You for everything You’ve already done to make peace. Help me to play my part in Your plan for peace. I can’t do this without You. Please be with me as I follow Your example. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Reflect or Discuss:

What can I start doing to make peace in the world? What can I start doing to bring peace between others and God?