Blessed are the Peacemakers

In 1938 Europe was hopeful that a grand conflict had been averted when Neville Chamberlin stepped of the airplane from Germany. “Peace for our time.” Less than 12 months later France and Great Britain were engaged in a struggle for survival with Hitler’s Third Reich.

Peacemakers are not appeasers but reconcilers. They must deal in truth and then face the conflict to bring about genuine peace.

Be Reconciled to God

The failure of man’s efforts to attain global peace is because they do not focus on the source of conflict, the heart.

A person cannot make peace with others unless they have peace in their own heart and life.

Therefore, Christ is the true Peacemaker. He reconciled us to the Father at great cost to himself.

Colossians 1:19–22 NKJV

For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross. And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight—

Colossians 1:19–21 ESV

For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds,

Colossians 1:19–20 ESV

For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

Colossians 1:19–23 ESV

For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.

A person cannot make peace with others unless they have peace in their own heart and life.

Receive God’s Word

Peacemaking begins with listening to God’s word on our situation.

Psalm 34:11–14 NKJV

Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord. Who is the man who desires life, And loves many days, that he may see good? Keep your tongue from evil, And your lips from speaking deceit. Depart from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it.

When we speak first we usually only add to the conflict.

James 1:19–20 NKJV

So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

This is sandwiched in between two admonitions to hear God’s Word. We are to be quick to hear (specifically the Word of God).

Respond with God’s Wisdom

Peacemaking brings God’s perspective into human conflict.

James 3:13–18 NKJV

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

Human conflict is rooted in sin and selfishness.

Where sin and self are on the throne, peace is absent.

God’s wisdom is first learned by being in fellowship with Him (pure in heart).

God’s wisdom bring peace to our conflict as we see ourselves in light of his truth.

God’s wisdom responds to others with gentleness, mercy, and humility.

The result is peace.