Making Peace in the Midst of Conflict

Making Peace in the Midst of Conflict

Matthew 5:9

The New York Times ran an article a few years ago titled:

'What Every Person Should Know About War'

What is a war?

War is defined as an active conflict that has claimed more than 1,000 lives.

Has the world ever been at peace?

Of the past 3,400 years, humans have been entirely at peace for 268 of them, or just 8 percent of recorded history.

How many people have died in war?

At least 108 million people were killed in wars in the twentieth century. Estimates for the total number killed in wars throughout all of human history range from 150 million to 1 billion.

Conflict is everywhere, isn’t it? In a classic Winston Churchill comeback, Lady Astor once said, “If you were my husband, I’d put poison in your coffee.” Churchill responded with his cutting wit: “If you were my wife, I’d drink it.” We laugh at this sarcasm, but it reveals that all of us are predisposed to conflict.

In fact, some of us have clashed with so many people, that we don’t really know how to live peaceably with others. I’ve known some people over the years that never seem happy unless they are fighting with someone.

A young daughter was working so diligently on her homework that her father became curious and asked her what she was doing. She looked up at her dad and replied, “I’m writing a report on how to bring peace to the world.” The father smiled and said, “Isn’t that a pretty big order for a little girl?” The girl continued writing as she answered, “Oh, no. Don’t worry. There are three of us in the class working on it.”

It’s easy to be naïve about peace, because it is in fact, very elusive in our relationships, in our culture, in our church, and in the world today

That reminds me of what one person said about Christians who quarrel: “Where two or three come together in Jesus’ name…there will eventually be conflict.”

The fact that the lack of peace is so pervasive, so prevalent is really nothing new. We can trace it all the way back to the book of Genesis. Humans have been at war with God ever since Adam and Eve sinned. And, beginning with the conflict between Cain and Abel, which eventually led to one brother killing the other, we have been in a battle with our brothers and sisters up till now.

In the midst of this continuous conflict and incessant strife, Jesus speaks some stunning words in Matthew chapter 5 as we look at the seventh beatitude. In order for us to find happiness, we are to be pure before God, as we learned last week, and this beatitude challenges us to be at peace with others.

Let me remind you that Jesus is not listing some optional ideas or preaching a sermon with some suggestions we might want to consider. These eight beatitudes are meant to describe the disciple of Christ and set forth the blessings that come to those who follow Him wholeheartedly.

So, before we read Matthew chapter 5, verse 9, would you join me in prayer?

Pray!

Matthew 5:9 ESV

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

The Message puts it this way:

Matthew 5:9 The Message

“You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family.

The Bible is a book of peace as the word “peace” appears over 400 times in Scripture. Hebrews 13:20 refers to God as the “God of peace” and because this is part of His very character, He wants His people to be marked by peace as well. Isaiah 9:6 describes Jesus as the “Prince of peace.”

Before we go much further, let’s describe what biblical peace is not:

Peace is not merely the absence of activity.

We often use the phrase “peace and quiet” to refer to our need to slow down.

Peace is more than the absence of hostility.

The biblical concept is much deeper than just not having conflict.

Peace is not just getting away from reality.

While we go on vacation to get away from it all, the Bible offers peace right where we are.

Peace is not the absence of something bad.

Rather it is the presence of something good.

In the Old Testament, the word peace is shalom and is a state of wholeness and harmony that is intended to resonate in all relationships. When used as a greeting, shalom was a wish for outward freedom from disturbance as well as an inward sense of well-being. To a people constantly harassed by enemies, peace was the premiere blessing.

God gave Moses these words to use when blessing His people:

Numbers 6:24–26 ESV

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.

3 Types of People

As we consider this beatitude of peace, Phil Morgan suggests that there are three types of people

Peace-breakers

We live in a world of peace-breakers. Did you know that in all the years of recorded history, it has been estimated that the world has been at peace just 8% of the time? Over that period, 8000 treaties have been made and broken.

Someone perceptively remarked, “Peace is that glorious moment in history when everyone stops to reload.”

Those who break peace in the church often cause trouble and division. The Bible has strong words in Romans 16:

Romans 16:17–18 ESV

I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.

God’s heart is revealed in Psalm 133:

Psalm 133:1 ESV

Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!

Now, before you start pointing your finger at someone else, each of us needs to examine our own hearts. It’s certainly possible to be a peace-breaker without even knowing it.

One area we all need to consider is the use of our tongues.

Ephesians 4:29–31 ESV

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.

When Paul is writing to the church at Corinth, he expresses his concern about what he may find when he comes for a visit:

2 Corinthians 12:20 ESV

For I fear that perhaps when I come I may find you not as I wish, and that you may find me not as you wish—that perhaps there may be quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder.

Many years ago, Psychology Today (October, 1983) posed an intriguing question: “If you could push a button and thereby eliminate any person with no repercussions to yourself, would you do it?” Sixty percent of those responding answered yes. One man suggested an even better question, “If such a device were invented, would anyone live to tell about it?”

Brothers and sisters, have you been pushing any buttons lately? Are you a peace-breaker? Do you bring people together or pull them apart? It’s always easier to create conflict than it is to promote peace.

Peace-faker

It’s interesting that Jesus is not calling us to be peace-keepers, but peace-makers. Some of us are predisposed to have peace at any cost in an effort to avoid conflict with someone. Often this is just pretend peace, as tensions go underground and come back again because they were never dealt with.

Phil Morgan writes,

“If things are not resolved, then that peace you’re trying so very hard to maintain by avoiding the issues will get harder and harder to keep. Eventually there will come a total breakdown in the relationship…it can die while everything on the surface looks peaceful.”

Ephesians 4 challenges the peace-fakers among us,

Ephesians 4:25 ESV

Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.

Are you only faking peace with others?

Peace-maker

It’s much easier to either break the peace or fake the peace than it is to make peace in the midst of conflict. When Jesus pronounced a blessing upon peacemakers, He used a very strong word for “maker.” It literally means “to do” or “to create.”

Friends, peace must be actively made because it never happens by chance. Left to ourselves, we drift toward divisiveness. Peacemaking is messy work and is often resented. Peace must be pursued until we have it, and then guarded so we don’t lose it. A peacemaker does what it takes to establish and maintain peace.

Instead of escalating conflict, this person works to extinguish tension and usher in peace. Warren Wiersbe said, “Hatred looks for a victim, while love seeks a victory. The man of war throws stones, and the peacemaker builds a bridge out of those stones.”

In 1781, Benjamin Franklin wrote to John Adams, “‘Blessed are the peacemakers’ is, I suppose, for another world. In this world they are frequently cursed.”

While it’s extremely difficult to be a peacemaker, there are at least two rewards.

Two Rewards

First, we are blessed when we make peace.

We are blessed

God applauds and approves those who do what it takes to make peace where there are problems. Martin Lloyd Jones asks the question, “Why are peacemakers blessed? The answer is…because they are so unlike everyone else…they are the people who stand out as being different from the rest of the world.”

We are God’s children

Second, this beatitude ends with an intriguing phrase, “…for they will be called sons (or children) of God.” The word “called” means to be officially designated as holding a particular rank or office like when a chairman is named, or a captain is chosen, or a spokesman is designated. It also means, “to become” or “owned.”

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be owned as the children of God.”

Jesus is saying that peacemakers will be known and recognized as what they really are – children of God. A peacemaker has the given title of being a child of the Prince of Peace.

The phrase, “sons of God,” refers to a family relationship in which the son takes his father’s name and becomes heir to the father’s fortune. When the Bible uses the term, “son of” someone, that person is “of” their father, and therefore resembles him. It often bears the meaning, “partaker of the character of.”

When you practice and promote peace, a watching world will come up to you and ask, “Are you a son of God? Are you a daughter of God?” Peacemakers bear a family resemblance and reflect something of our Heavenly Father’s character.

When you make peace, you partner with God in spreading peace, and you demonstrate to a watching world that you are a son or a daughter of the King. In addition, you enjoy the full benefits of being in His family. If you want to resemble God, be a peacemaker.

Action Steps

We can talk a lot about the importance of peacemaking, but until we put peace into practice, it’s just words. Let me list 4 action steps.

Make sure you’re at peace with God.

If you have not yet put your faith in Christ, the Bible says that you are at war with God (Ephesians 2:3). It’s time to have a peace conference with the Prince of Peace. There is no way to have the peace of God until you know the God of peace.

Years ago, Admiral Nelson won a battle at sea against the French. The French Admiral came before him to surrender. He was dressed in his full regalia, with medals pinned to his shoulder, and his sword hanging by his side. He reached out his hand to Lord Nelson as if they were now friends. Lord Nelson just stepped back and said, “Your sword first.” Friend, you can’t just come up and shake Jesus’ hand without laying down your sword. You must surrender.

I like what Haddon Robinson said, “No peace will exist between nations until peace reigns in each country. And no country will have peace unless peace resides in each community. And no community will have peace unless peace dwells within its people. And no people will have peace unless they surrender to the Prince of Peace.”

Lead others to be at peace with God.

Ephesians 6:15 refers to believers having their feet fitted with “the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.” 2 Corinthians says that we have been given the ministry of reconciliation as if God were making His appeal through us to others.

Be at peace with those around you.

Do you need to make things right with someone today? Anyone you need to forgive? Do you need to ask for forgiveness from someone?

Don’t be like Lucy who said to Charlie Brown, “I hate everything and I hate everybody and I hate the whole wide world.” Charlie says, “I thought you had inner peace.” To which Lucy replies, “I do, but I have outer obnoxiousness.”

Help others who are in conflict.

How can God use you to build bridges between people who are in conflict? Peace is hard to make and even harder to keep. It’s usually easier to walk away from a problem instead of getting involved in someone else’s difficulty. Be like Francis of Assisi, who prayed, “Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love. Where there is injury, pardon.”

Will you say a good word when you hear juicy gossip? Will you work for peace when there is conflict? Will you seek a solution when you come across an argument? Will you calm the waters instead of stirring them up?

Chuck Swindoll writes, “Peacemakers release tension, they don’t intensify it…they strive for resolution.”

It’s a pretty big order to bring peace to the world, but each of us can make a difference if we decide to be peacemakers right where we are. I wonder what would happen if all of us would make a commitment to Biblical Conflict Resolution?

What if we responded to conflict in a way that is remarkably different from the way the world deals with conflict. What if we understood that conflict provides opportunities for us to glorify God, serve other people, and grow to be more like Christ?

Principles for Peace

Let me quickly share some principles to peace that can help us do this:

Glorify God

Instead of focusing on our own desires or dwelling on what others may do, rejoice in the Lord and bring him praise by depending on his forgiveness, wisdom, power, and love. Glorify God by maintaining a loving, merciful, and forgiving attitude.

Get the Log out of Your Own Eye

Instead of blaming others for conflict or resisting correction, trust in God’s mercy and take responsibility for your own contribution to conflicts by confessing your sins to those we have wronged, asking God to help us change any attitudes and habits that lead to conflict, and seeking to repair any harm we have caused.

Gently Restore

Instead of pretending that conflict doesn’t exist or talking about others behind their backs, overlook minor offenses or talk personally and graciously with those whose offenses seem too serious to overlook, seeking to restore them rather than condemn them.

When a conflict with a Christian brother or sister cannot be resolved in private, ask others in the body of Christ to help settle the matter in a biblical manner.

Go and be reconciled

Instead of accepting premature compromise or allowing relationships to disintegrate, actively pursue genuine peace and reconciliation by forgiving others as God has forgiven us and seeking solutions to our differences.

Commit to being a peacemaker because peace does not happen by chance.

Telemachus was a monk in the 4th century who sensed that God wanted him to go to Rome. When he arrived in the city, people were thronging in the streets. He asked why everyone was so excited and was told that this was the day that the gladiators would be fighting and killing each other in the Colosseum.

He ran to the coliseum and heard the gladiators shouting, “Hail, Caesar, we who are about to die salute you!" before they began to battle each other. From somewhere up in the stands, he cried out, “In the name of Christ, stop!” No one heard.

He made his way to the wall separating the spectators from the spectacle and without hesitation, jumped down into the arena and ran towards the two men locked in combat.

He stepped between them and called out for all to hear, "In the name of Christ, stop!"

Angry shouts and cries at once drowned his voice: "This is no place for preaching! On gladiators! On with the fight!"

Pushing aside the monk, the gladiators again attacked each other, but the man stood between, holding them apart trying stop unnecessary bloodshed.

“In the name of Christ, stop!”

"Treason! Down with him! Run him through!" was the cry from the crowd.

The gladiators, enraged at the interference in their contest, stabbed him. Stones, or whatever came to hand, rained down on him from the furious people, and he died bleeding out into the sand of the arena.

He died but not in vain.

A silence fell over the Colosseum. And then, someplace up in the upper tiers, someone made his way to an exit and left, and others began to follow. And in the dead silence, everyone left the Colosseum.

His work was accomplished at the moment he was struck down, for the shock of such a death before their eyes turned the hearts of the people.

It was the last known gladiatorial contest in the history of Rome.

Jesus died on a cruel rugged cross to make peace for us. His blood was shed so that we might know the meaning of eternal peace. In order to be known as a child of God, we should be willing to do no less.