Blessed are the peacemakers – the beatitudes

Be a Peacemaker

The sixth beatitude is, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”  The world is in desperate need of Godly peacemakers.  However, our culture instead seems to champion rabble-rousers. We tend to admire those who will confront and even stir up hostility and hate in the name of so-called justice.  People become easily offended.   We even take on the offenses of others. There are way more people trying to stir up strife and conflict than there are those who are trying to bring peace.   There is a great need for people to become peacemakers.

Be a Peacemaker

Notice Jesus did not say blessed are the peacekeepers but the peacemakers! The difference is a peacemaker actively becomes involved in the process of bringing peace wherever possible.  I want to teach you how to be a peacemaker.  God is calling you to be a peacemaker – within your personal relationships, your spouse, children, other family members, friends, classmates, and coworkers.  God also wants to use you as an agent of peace in the areas where you have influence.  It may be in the workplace or in a civic group, or a small group at church, or in your community.  There are some who are reading this, and you are in a position of great authority, and you have the opportunity to be a peacemaker on a large scale. 

It Depends on You

Romans 12:17-18 says, “Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.  If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.   Notice it says IF it is possible whatever you can do – “do it” – for the sake of peace.  Notice – IT DEPENDS ON YOU!  But only if it’s possible.  There are some situations that are NOT possible.  The parties involved are not interested in peace.  They would rather fight. They are contentious and they do everything they can to create conflict, but often it is possible to help bring peace.

3 Skills Required to be a Peacemaker

Peacemaking is not avoiding conflict or confrontations.  Being a peacemaker does not mean becoming a “doormat” where you are always giving in.  It doesn’t mean being passive or compromising your values and convictions.  There are 3 skills required to be a peacemaker.  You need to – 1) know how to defuse a situation, 2) know how to resolve the conflict, and 3) how to reconcile relationships.   You need all 3 skills to effectively bring peace where there is contention, strife, and discord.

Be At Peace

1 Peter 3:11 tells us to, “Work hard at living at peace with others.” Choose to show grace, which is defined as mercy, favor, and pardon. Jesus showed you and I grace rather than judgment when He died to pay the penalty for our sins. He says in Matthew 7:1-2: “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Trust the Lord to examine the heart and motives of those who may have hurt you and leave all judgment to Him.  Be a peacemaker!

Summary

Peacemaking is a divine work. God is the author of peace and, Jesus is the supreme peacemaker.  As believers we have Jesus in us and He is looking to us to be peacemakers by the power of the Spirit living in us. When we become peacemakers, Jesus promises us that we will be blessed. The world is filled with conflict. To resolve conflict there needs to be a peacemaker.  Answer the call and be a peacemaker!

I have written 3 other posts with more details on how to be a peacemaker.  I teach you how to  defuse a situation and the 4 Biblical steps needed to resolve differences, and then how to heal broken relationships.  They can be found at the following 3 links –  

How to Resolve Conflict – steps to diffuse a situation – click here

How to Be a Peacemaker – 4 Biblical Steps to Resolve Conflict – click here

How to Heal Broken Relationships – click here