Blessed Are the Peacemakers for They Will Be Called Children of God
February 16, 2025
Scripture: Matthew 5:9
A pastor was visiting a parishioner’s farm. He said to the farmer, “Some of the chickens are missing feathers and have open sores on the skin. Why is this? The farmer responded, “They like to peck at one another.” That is exactly the way some people treat one another: They like to peck at others! They love to find faults, criticize, complain, and condemn. The same thing happens in churches. People like to complain and criticize. To put it bluntly, they act more like pecking chickens than Spirit-filled believers.
Complaining, blame, and conflict are a result of the fall of humankind. After Adam sinned, he blamed God and his wife. He said in Genesis 3:12, The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it. The woman then blamed the serpent. Sin caused separation among people and between God and humankind. We now live in a world marked by division and conflict. We have conflicts in our homes, in our friendships, in our work relationships in churches, among nations. Where there are people, there is conflict!
Yet, amid this world of discord, Jesus said, Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called sons of God (Matthew 5:9). In describing those who are part of the kingdom of heaven, he said that they would be known for working for peace and resolving discord. Those who have experienced Christ’s peace should be peacemakers in this world.
What does Jesus mean blessed are the peacemakers? When Jesus uses the word "peace" here, he has in mind the Old Testament idea of peace, captured in the Hebrew word shalom. It is the promise of that great benediction: "May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you. May the Lord turn his face toward you and give you his peace." Shalom means wholeness and wellness. To experience shalom is to be in harmony with God, with others, and with yourself. Peace or Shalom was a common Jewish greeting indicating God’s highest good to you.
The highest good for others is for a person to be reconciled with the Lord. God is a holy God and therefore cannot have a relationship with sinful people. Therefore, all people are under the wrath of God because of our sins. The Gospel message is the truth that Christ bore God’s wrath on the cross for our sins, so we can have a right relationship with God. Romans 5:1 states, Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
II Corinthians 5:18-21, And all these things are from God who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and who has given us the ministry of reconciliation. In other words, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting people’s trespasses against them, and he has given us the message of reconciliation. Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making His plea through us. We plead with you on Christ’s behalf, “Be reconciled to God!” God made the one who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that in him we would become the righteousness of God.
Having peace with the Lord is the highest good for others! As one has peace with God, one can live an abundant life in this sick, sinful, death stinking world and have eternal life in the wonder of heaven!
Peacemakers also attempt to reconcile oneself with others. Sadly, I have found many do not take this seriously. Yet, Jesus said in Matthew 5:22a 23, 24, But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.
Romans 12:18 says, If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
Sometimes even our best efforts will not enable us to maintain peace with a person who chooses to be un-peaceful. We cannot control another person’s actions or responses. Romans 12:19 notes that we are not to take revenge for God will hold that person responsible.
Peacemakers will also seek to help others to be reconciled. In Philippians 4:2,3, Paul appeals to two women who were having a dispute. He encourages them to agree in the Lord. He encourages others to help them reconcile.
In Matthew 18:15-17 Jesus stated the process for confronting sin in others. If your brother sins, go and show him his fault when the two of you are alone. If the person in sin does not respond, he brings one or two others to petition the person to repent. If this does not work, he brings it before the church. And if the person still does not respond, the church disciplines the believer.
Paul understood that division tends to spread, as people take sides. It opens the door for Satan (Ephesians 4:26, 27). Jesus prayed that the church would have unity because it is a critical factor in a congregations witness to the community.
Romans 14:19 instructs, Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.
I have seen and experienced years in building a congregation, then in just a few days the church being devasted by a few people complaining and quarreling. It broke my heart! Over the past 8 years, 9 months, 16 days, I have seen too many people leave because of some critical comment or some type of conflict. Listen, if you want to give me a birthday gift, joy, a blessing, then GET ALONG WITH ONE ANOTHER! Stop complaining! Apologize and forgive!!!!
Let us also be a peacemaker with the people of the world. Today, there seems to be a good deal of antagonism these days between the church and the people of the world. Yet, Hebrews 12:14 states, Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. We are to be holy. Do not sacrifice the truth to show love. Respect their viewpoint. Hopefully, they will respect your viewpoint as well.
Cory Booker stated, There are two ways to go through life, as a thermometer or a thermostat. Now what does a thermometer do? It tells the temperature how warm or cold it might be. It adjusts to the climate of the room. What does a thermostat do? It sets the climate of the room. Jesus is saying blessed are the thermostats. Blessed are the ones that can walk into any situation and just change that climate.
So, how can we develop as peacemakers? First and foremost, if you are going to grow in being a peacemaker, then you need to follow the example of the ultimate peacemaker, Jesus Christ!!
Scripture tells us that God is the God of peace. Shortly after the fall of humankind, God stated his plan to bring peace! In Genesis 3:15, God promised to send a seed that would crush the head of the serpent—Satan—who started the conflict. This seed would mend the division that was in the world and bring peace and unity.
One of the great messianic prophecies of Scripture is Isaiah 9. Isaiah 9:6 states, For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
When Christ was born on earth, the angels announced, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests” (Luke 2:14). Christ came to the earth to bring peace to humankind, peace with one another and with God.
Jesus is the Prince of Peace. He came and taught us how to have peace and he gave the ultimate sacrifice to bring peace between God and humankind. Peacemaking was his mission.
Jesus helped people take the next step on their spiritual journey. Sometimes that meant challenging them to follow him, as he did with Peter. He turned an assortment of disciples into a unified team. He taught his disciples the way to God as he said, ‘I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.” No one comes to the Father except through me (John 14:6).
He bridged the gap between Jews and Samaritans/Gentiles. He welcomed the prostitutes, tax collectors, sinners who those who were religious had rejected. (Note John 8:1-11; Luke 18:9-14). He elevated women into his circle who normally had no place in the public expression of faith and ministry. He cared for those who were poor or hungry.
Jesus actively tried to promote harmony in the world. Sometimes this required confrontation as Jesus did with the religious leaders. He rebuked those who were being dishonest and dishonoring the Lord at the temple. He ultimately confronted all sin at the cross, as he bore the penalty for everyone’s sins so they could be reconciled to God.
True peace often results in trouble. Jesus spoke words of truth, and he was crucified. Jesus died to reconcile God and people (Romans 5:1), and people with one another (Ephesians 2:14-18). Jesus stood in the gap as he took the torture and the sting of death from the evil one and he experienced the pain of being separated from His Heavenly Father as he took on the sins of humankind. Jesus sets the ultimate example of being a peacemaker.
2. Peacemaking begins with knowing the peace giver. Then, we need to continually get rid of sin in our own lives and grow into the character of Christ!
Billy Graham stated, To be a peacemaker, you must know the peace giver. As we know the peace giver and grow in understanding His love and grace, we want to be like him. We want to shed the sin in our lives and reflect his character.
Before we become people who reach people, we must become people with Christ-like hearts. We must be transformed from the inside out, so that our hearts naturally go out to people, the way Christ's heart went out to people. Unless and until that transformation takes place, we will never become people who reach people.
It is being poor in spirit, learning how to mourn, being meek, having a hunger and thirst for a right relationship with the Lord, being merciful, and growing in pure of heart.
In Ephesians 4:1-3, Paul gives several key tools to be a peacemaker. He writes, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
Titus 3:1b, 2 states, …be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, 2 to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.
Listen, the more we conquer sin in our lives, the more we grow into a Christ-like character, the more effective we will be at being a peacekeeper!
3. If you are going to be a peacemaker, then understand all people want their own way! They are selfish and sinful! This is the reason there is conflict! People desire to fulfill self-will not God’s will.
James 4:1, 2 states, What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? 2 You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight.
The reason for conflict is because someone feels he or she is not getting fair treatment. They are not getting what they want. The reason for conflict is because one person wants it this way and another person wants it that way. This is true within a family, the workplace, the church or even among nations. They are self-focused. They are concerned with their own rights, their own lives, their own needs, their own feelings.
This is the opposite of a peacemaker. A peacemaker desires God’s will be done, not self-will. A peacemaker looks at what is best according to God’s word and what the Lord desires.
If this is going to happen then a peacemaker needs to be poor in spirit, lamenting yourself and your sin, seeing yourself as a servant, humble and meek.
Sadly, even those who know Christ are still prone to division. Churches split, couples divorce, and believers harbor deep seated unforgiveness towards one another and sometimes even towards God because they want their own way! They think they are even right! Now this is often based on how they feel, not God’s word, or a proper interpretation of God’s word.
Peacemakers recognize the sinful/selfish will of humankind. Jesus knew this (John 2:23-25). Yet, he came to speak and show love and truth. So, we also need to recognize humanity is sinful/selfish. If we are going to have compassion concerning others and be peacekeepers, then we need to realize that people want their own way. At various times, people will talk to me about dealing with other people and I remind them, “ITS PEOPLE!” I also tell people, “DON’T LET OTHER PEOPLE STEAL YOUR JOY OF THE LORD!”
People have different personalities, backgrounds, and perspectives. Yet, we are called to speak and show the love and truth of Jesus!
4. To grow as peacemakers, we must gain godly wisdom to develop healthy communication skills.
James 3:9-18 points that our tongue praises the Lord and curses human beings. This should not be. Then he goes on and notes humility comes from godly wisdom. However, bitterness, envy, selfish ambition is not godly wisdom, but earthly unspiritual, demonic. This prompts disorder and evil. Then verses 17, 18 states, But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.
We need to gain godly wisdom to develop healthy communication skills! The book of Proverbs gives a wealth of godly wisdom pertaining to this realm. For instance, Proverbs 17:27 says, The truly wise person restrains his words, and the one who stays calm is discerning. A wise person chooses their words and tone carefully!
Proverbs 19:11 states, A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense. Also note Proverbs 12:16). We must gain godly wisdom to determine if an insult, a dispute is insignificant. If it is, then it should be resolved by quietly and deliberately overlooking an offense. Overlooking an offense is a form of forgiveness and involves a deliberate decision not to talk about it, or let it grow into pent-up bitterness or anger.
Proverbs 15:1, 2 states, A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly. Healthy communication skills are having knowledge, being informed and being able to apply principles from God’s word.
Proverbs 15:18 states, A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict, but the one who is patient calms a quarrel. (Note: Proverbs 18:13). James 1:19, 20 puts it this way. My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. One of the reasons that conflicts often do not get resolved in a peaceful way is because people react too quickly. Healthy communication includes effectively listening, asking questions, and controlling your anger.
Proverbs 25:15 states, Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.
This is how Paul puts it in II Timothy 2:23-25, Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. 24 And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. 25 Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth. We hope/ trust that God will lead them to a knowledge of the truth!
Ephesians 4:29 puts it this way. Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that may benefit those who listen.
We need to gain godly wisdom and healthy communication if the Lord is going to use us as peacemakers.
5. Be willing to challenge/confront! Be willing to risk pain.
People deal with conflict in three general ways: 1. Attack; 2 Escape; 3: Seek peace. People who attack are those who are more interested in winning a conflict. They might threaten, slander, gossip, try to damage a person financially or professionally, or even physically assault or murder.
People who escape might pretend it does not exist. They flee, they quit as they file for divorce or change churches. Sadly, some escape by committing suicide. Sadly, avoiding conflict will have negative effects. For instance, avoiding conflict prompts bitterness and anger.
God does not bless a congregation that is in discord. Since I tend to avoid conflict, God has had to teach me the hard way and continues to teach me the importance of this principle. Dealing with conflict is a difficult part of the ministry. Yet, peacemakers do not keep their mouths shut when they see improper behavior. Rather, peacemakers see a problem and immediately go to work to correct, reconcile, and restore.
Jesus corrected his disciples when an argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest as he had a child stand beside him and said, Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For it is the one who is least among you all who is the greatest (Note: Luke 9:46-48). Peacemakers boldly confront in love.
Edmond Burke stated, All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.
Lastly, if you are going to grow in being a peacemaker, learn to differentiate between constructive and destructive criticism.
We all need correcting. We all battle pride, and we all make mistakes, need attitude adjustments, and lose perspective. One measure of our spiritual maturity is whether we are open to hearing words of instruction.
Proverbs 27:6a states, Faithful are the wounds of a friend. I have learned that people who correct me can help me! Now, I will admit that I don’t always agree with or correct an issue. Yet, I appreciate your concern.
Jesus’ criticisms were always truthful and loving. After I correct kids, I might say, I tell you this because I love you. In other words, I want the best for you.
Constructive criticism is designed to help us grow and minister more effectively. Can you welcome caring confrontation delivered with kindness and a desire to help?
Jesus said, those who are peacemakers is that they shall be called sons/children of God. Jesus makes the point This is because they reflect their Father’s character. In the Scriptures, to call someone a "son" was to say that there was a likeness, usually reflected in behavior. For them, this work of peacemaking is merely an extension of the Father's work. They approach relationships how God would instead of protecting their own interests. Scripture indicates that the Lord will richly reward those who reflect his character!
Now let me say this as a warning. If you are not a peacemaker, there is high probability that you are not a child of God or a disobedient Christian (1 Corinthians 6:9–11; Galatians 5:19–21). I encourage you to pursue being a peacemaker!
In the fifth century, a monk named Telemachus wanted to live his life in pursuit of God, so he lived alone in the desert praying, fasting, and meditating. One day as he prayed, he realized his life was based on a selfish love of God, not selfless. If he were to serve God, he must serve men. He decided to return to the city where there was sin and need.
Telemachus headed for Rome. He arrived at a time when the Roman general, Stilicho, had won a great victory over the Goths. Since Rome was officially Christian, triumph brought people pouring into the churches.
But one pagan practice still lingered in Christian Rome—the gladiator games. While Christians were not thrown to the lions, prisoners of war were cast into the arena to fight and kill each other. Spectators roared with blood lust as the gladiators battled.
Telemachus arrived on the day of the games. Following the noise, he made his way to the arena where 80,000 people had gathered to celebrate. The fights began and Telemachus stood aghast. Men for whom Christ had died were about to kill each other to amuse a supposedly Christian populace.
He jumped into the arena and stood between the two gladiators, imploring them to stop. The crowd was furious at the delay of their "entertainment," and after several shouts and threats, it stoned the monk to death. The rest of the contests were cancelled that day. Three days later, the Roman Emperor Honorius declared Telemachus a martyr and ended the gladiatorial contests. Historian Edward Gibbon observed the following about Telemachus: "His death was more useful to mankind than his life." (From an article by Nancy Hardin in "On Target," a publication of Denver Seminary; source: William Barclay, The Gospel of Mark (Westminster Press, 1975) pp. 203-205)
