“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” (Matthew 5:9) Peacemaking should be the way of life for every Christian. In John 14:27, Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives

do I give to you.” What is the difference between the Lord’s peace and the world’s peace? It is surrender rather than negotiating: no compromise. The more successful a Christian is at peacemaking, the more the world will be angry. What motivations produce peacemaking as a lifestyle? First, the motivation of the gospel message—“Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer.” (2 Corinthians 5:16) Key to Christian peacemaking is learning to see everyone in the context of eternity—heaven or hell! View Christians as new creations, everyone else is lost! Second, the motivation of great mercy—“Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation.” (v. 18) We benefitted from the Lord’s mercy; we must tell others about it. Christians should want to tell others of God’s great mercy in Christ. Third, the motivation of a glorious ministry—“Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.” (v. 20) We are called ambassadors of the Kingdom of God. What an assignment! What an honor! Why did Jesus give the quality of peacemaking seventh? The beatitudes are progressive, building on each previous one: you must see yourself as spiritually helpless. mourn over the sinfulness of your sin, learn to be humble, desire to be righteous. understand mercy, and gain a pure heart by the trials of affliction … to become effective as a peacemaker for the kingdom of God.

Sin cera, Erik

Erik O. Garthe is Associate Pastor at Canton Baptist Church in Baltimore, Maryland.

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