Daily Devotional

 "BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS, FOR THEY WILL BE CALLED SONS OF GOD."
Matthew 5:9

If someone asked you to give a one-word job title for the Christian, what might you say? I like the term peacemaker which I think is as good as anything you can suggest.  If it works as our job title, then it is important how you describe what is entailed in doing the job correctly.  All that we have learned from the previous Beatitudes is all prep work for this job.  To be effective in serving the Lord, maturity is a key ingredient and the Beatitudes give us the steps toward that maturity.

What did you sign up for at Salvation? Too many people act like becoming a Christian has as its primary purpose, the obtaining of fire insurance. But while I like the insurance, there is something much bigger that you did. You enlisted in the Lord’s Army.

What type of soldier are you? Are you a gold brick? Are you AWOL most of the time? Are you just biding your time until discharge?  Hopefully, you are someone who takes pride in your enlistment. Truth is each and every one of you enlisted to be in the Lord’s peacekeeper army.

Imagine Jesus was interviewing you to be His peacemaker to the world what questions might He ask? He might run you right back through the prior Beatitudes:

So how did you do with your interview before Jesus?

What does it mean to be a peacemaker? First, it involves a real concern for the well-being of others. The focus is what God would want for a situation (you cannot look to your own selfish needs in a situation).

Notice it says peacemaker not peace-lover. How would you describe the difference?  It indicates an action to make peace not avoidance of conflict. You don't become a peacemaker by simply avoiding a situation and hoping it will get better. Passivity is not always the route to making peace, often it takes bravery and boldness. There are four ways to be a peacemaker:

1. Between ourselves and God – For the non-Christian this is step one.  Even for the Christians, it should be a primary concern.  While as the redeemed our long-term situation vis-a-vis God is settled and assured, it does not mean our momentary circumstances are always in good shape.  We are capable as Christians of falling or deliberately stepping into sin and finding ourselves estranged from God in a temporal sense.  We should daily be seeking to maintain a strong peaceful relationship with Him.  While He will never abandon us, we can be under His discipline.

“The Lord disciplines the one he loves.”
 Hebrews 12:6

2. Between others and God – While we can save no one since that is the exclusive convicting work of the Holy Spirit, we can provide the material that the Holy Spirit will use to do His work. We may have no greater work as peacemakers than to be evangelistic to the world around us. As I have said before we act as ambassadors or PR persons for God. By word and action, we provide material the Holy Spirit can use in drawing folks

“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,”
1 Peter 3:15

“We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.”
2 Corinthians 5:20

3. Between ourselves and others – A key part of our witness is how we interact with the folks around us.  While some people are in a closer relational circle to us than others, how are you doing in all circles?  Do you let things fester or do always attempt to resolve conflict?  Do you have the humility to always make the first move?

“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
Romans 12:18

“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”
Ephesians 4:1-3

4. Between others and others – This can be a tricky one.  You do not want to stick your nose where it does not belong.  You certainly do not want to be a busybody.  However, you are legitimately called on here at times; usually where because of the situation or your relationship with one or more of the folks involved, you have a reason to step in.

"Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification."
Romans 14:19

New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.