Authentic Christianity: Waging Peace

"Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they shall be called sons of God." (Matthew 5:9)

Considering the presence of conflict in our world, the need for peacemakers should be obvious.  Jesus’ call to be a peacemaker is a call to see ourselves as agents of reconciliation. Today we consider the implications of Jesus' statement in order to understand how we can be effective peacemakers.

God is a peace-loving God, and a peace-making God.

Jesus is the Prince of Peace who came to bring peace on earth.
John 14:27

“Blessed are the Peacemakers” v.9a

peacemakers – workers of peace; peace restorers

One who arbitrates peace without becoming involved

Shalom is the Hebrew equivalent for the word “peace” that primarily signifies wholeness.

Peace is not the absence of something; rather it is the presence of something.  True peace is the presence of righteousness.

Heavenly peace is a peace which is personal and permanent not dependent on outward circumstances.

Peacemakers are:

·     Persons who know peace. 

·     Persons who know the power of peace:

To transform.  Hebrews 12:14

To encourage. Romans 14:19 

·     Persons who wage peace against strife.

Every peacemaker is a fighter, but not every fighter is a peacemaker.  Peacemakers fight in peace as well as for peace. 

·     Persons who share peace with others. 

Peace does not mean the absence of conflict but the absence of strife.

The Prince of Peace brought Jew and Gentile together as God’s chosen people.

"Christ as Savior brings peace with God; Christ as Lord brings the peace of God."

"For they shall be called sons of God"

"shall be called" = recognized as; acknowledged to be

“children of God” = "to partake of the nature of”