Peacemakers: Mathew 5:9
““9) Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” Matthew‬ ‭5:9‬ ‭
This beatitude is nearly self validating. Jesus as our Master and Lord is “The Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6) He came to make peace between God and man, and redeemed people with one another and the world around them.
It is an utter contradiction for anyone to be the source conflict, discord, tension, outbursts of anger, and strife… and still claim Jesus as Savior and Lord. These come from the flesh and not the Spirit. Something is tragically wrong! (Study Galatians 5:18-21) Look carefully, the third fruit of the Spirit is “peace.”
The contrast between the thief and Jesus in John 10:10 drives this point home. The thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy. Jesus came that we might have life and have it more abundantly. Jesus came to build up and not tear down. He came to heal and not wound. He came to make people whole.
Those who become whole become peacemakers. Blessings begin to pursue the peacemakers. Their inward makeup is transformed and their outward relationships begin to change. God surrounds them with favor.
My life is a testimony of this transformation. Before becoming a Christian, my life was driven by tension, inner torment and anger. I was abusive to people closest to me. When I invited Jesus into my heart, He immediately began a very deep work within me that He has been maturing over the years. I now live on the peacemaker end of the spectrum. My inner war is long over. For the most part, peace now reigns in me!
But let me make a final clarification. Peace itself is not the end game. For example, we do not sacrifice truth on the altar of peace. A right relationship with God is the goal of our ministry of reconciliation. A person can only have the peace of God if they have peace with God.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: cofounder of GoServ Global