Live to Please God
Dear Friends,
Matthew 5:9 says, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.” (NIV) In the Beatitudes, Jesus highlights peacemaking, mercy, purity, persecution, etc., as traits of people who are Kingdom-minded. Obviously, being a peacemaker is a trait that pleases God and that even showcases God to the world around us.
I want to challenge you, though, to consider the difference between being a peacemaker and being a peacekeeper. Think about the UN for a moment. They send “peacekeeping forces” to help support and enforce treaties and peace agreements that are already in place around the world. They do not, however, create the peace in the first place. It is the soldiers and diplomats who come before the peacekeepers who are really responsible for “making” peace in a situation. No one would argue that fighting a war or negotiating a treaty is a quiet, tranquil, conflict-free, or serene experience. Peace making can be a gut wrenching and even messy or painful experience. Jesus calls us to be a peacemaker before we are a peacekeeper.
We often justify conflict avoidance as “peacemaking,” when we are really allowing problems and issues in our lives to grow in hidden places where they will be even more dangerous down the road. Exposing conflict and addressing it graciously is a very challenging task. Only as a “son of God,” can we hope to emulate the true peacemaker, Jesus Christ.
As I said in the video, speaking gently to others, seeking and offering forgiveness, listening well, and seeking God’s glory above my own are all parts of what it means to be a peacemaker, rather than just a peacekeeper. The next time you encounter conflict and are tempted to turn the other way and ignore it in the name of peace, I challenge you to consider the price that Jesus paid for our peace with the Father and to ask Him for the boldness and grace to move ahead into peacemaking, relying on His leading and His wisdom.
May you find true peace at the foot of the cross and in the trenches of life’s battles today.
Blessings,
Ron
Words of timely wisdom as always. I am currently faced with two situations where I am being called to stand up for what is right, and I would much rather sit in peace. I need to put on the full armor of God and seek his wisdom, clarity, boldness and grace in dealing with these touchy circumstances - I want to glorify Him through it all. Please cover me in prayer. God bless -
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This was a timely message for me personally. Thank you. It reminds me of something Ronald Reagan said, "There is no argument over the choice between peace and war, but there is only one guaranteed way you can have peace–and you can have it in the next second–surrender." Too often I avoid a conflict just to keep the peace. I'm not saying we should seek out conflict, but have the courage to deal with certain problems directly and not just sweep it under the table like it doesn't exist. Too often I end up being
like Ron said a peacekeeper rather than a peacemaker.
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