Peacekeeper or peacemaker?

What is Peace?

Cultural peace

is a superficial agreement and lack of conflict. It primarily will spout that conflict avoidance is the key. never so obvious as stating it but it is present.

Christly peace

Christly peace flows not from an absence of conflict but out of a right relationship with Jesus. It is deep and lasting. Not dependent on circumstances but on Christ.

“The Hebrew word "šālôm" (שָׁלוֹם) is a multifaceted term of profound significance in the Old Testament, occurring over 230 times12. While commonly translated as "peace," its meaning extends far beyond the absence of conflict, encompassing concepts such as wholeness, completeness, well-being, prosperity, health, and safety”

peace is wholeness not quietness

peacemaking want to heal the hurting. healing invovles pain.

peacekeeping wants to keep things they way they are peacemaking wants to bring wholeness and healing.

Being a peacekeeper

culture wants to present a peaceful scene when the reality doesn’t match. like when someone asks how we are doing and no matter how our day was we say “okay”, “fine”, “good”

culture wants to be the main voice and have no competing voices

“Worldly peacekeepers try to make peace by covering over sin, by trying to make arrangements with evil men

covers-up sin

Culture tells you to “keep the peace” under threat of cancelation or violence. It creates an environment of fear that if you say the wrong thing stand up for the wrong issue you will be guilty of breaking the peace and therefore deserving of hate. The primary misconception is that there is peace. In no real sense is there peace right now. What you are actually guilty of is breaking what they want to hear. a fragile and superficial peace

avoids conflict

peace is not in the resolution of conflict but in ignoring it until it just kind of fades out.

Stuffs down convictions

anything that will rock the boat or go against what culture says is accepted breaks the peace that is a crime

examples: the harmful affects of pornography, reporting from the other side, the harmful affects of drugs and psychedelics, a biblical view on marriage, social media can be harmful.

we see grassroots movements of this but there is a reason it is grassroots.

Being a peacemaker

(šālôm). n. masc. soundness, peace. The state of being whole

Philippians 4:7 “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Isaiah 26:3 “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.”

Galatians 5:22–23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.so making that would be going and trying to help making people whole

to spread peace we have to have peace.

“Every Christian, according to this beatitude, is meant to be a peacemaker both in the community and in the church”

Confesses sin

care too much to “keep “ the peace.

has no care for cultural peace but wants people to have the peace of Christ.

Finds a resolution to conflict

does not aim for revenge but love.

Matthew 5:38–39 ““You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.”

But the true spiritual peacemakers try to remove the injustice, the pain, the sin that is in the world. They help men find peace with God. This is true peace.”

“Love is the main weapon of the peacemaker. Paul wrote: If your enemy is hungry, feed him (Romans 12:20).

peace making is costly

Holds to convictions

2 Thessalonians 2:15 “So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.”

How do we do this in our life?

Cut out gossip

be willing to be bold

to speak up

to care for people

go the extra mile for someone else

find your “enemies” and pray for them