Blessed are the peacemakers | Westside Eagle Observer

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

Though God will not tolerate our sin and rebellion against Him and does not mince words in telling us the truth about our sinfulness and His condemnation of sin, God is a God of peace. He does not desire our condemnation and so sent His own Son to bear the punishment for our sins, and He calls upon all of us to repent and turn to Him for full pardon and peace.

When speaking about the coming day of judgment, the Bible tells us: "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9; cf. Ezekiel 33:11). The Bible also says that "God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. 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. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him" (2 Corinthians 5:19-21).

As children of God through faith in Christ Jesus (cf. Galatians 3:26), we who now have peace with God for the sake of Jesus' shed blood also seek to live in peace with others. Like our heavenly Father, we desire that others repent and turn to Jesus for forgiveness and peace with God. Like our heavenly Father, we cannot tolerate sin and rebellion against God and we must not hesitate to speak the truth of God's Word; but we do so in love, desiring that our fellow sinners also repent and return to their Father in heaven for pardon and peace (cf. Ephesians 4:15). As Paul writes, "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" (2 Corinthians 5:20).

Though some who claim to follow Christ are quick to stir up contention and strife; that is not what Jesus would have us do. The Bible tells us: "If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men" (Romans 12:18; cf. Hebrews 12:14; Psalm 34:14; Mark 9:50). While we must hold fast to, and contend for, the true teaching of God's Word; we are not to become involved in foolish arguments over things not clearly laid out in the Scriptures (cf. 2 Timothy 2:22-26; 3:1-17). Who is won for the truth through bitter strife and arguments anyway! Rather, all we can do is bear witness to the truth with a kind and humble spirit and let God's Spirit do the rest.

Paul writes to the church in Ephesus: "Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us...." (Ephesians 4:31 -- 5:2).

Remember Jesus' words: "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God."

Dear Lord Jesus Christ, Prince of peace, so often my ways are not set on peace, but on strife and contention. Graciously forgive me for the sake of Your holy and precious blood shed on my behalf and give me a heart like that of our heavenly Father -- a heart that holds fast to the truth but also seeks peace through humble submission to God's truth. Amen.

Community on 07/15/2015