Matthew 5:9
The result of Jesus’ sermon on the Mount was that the multitudes (thousands) were amazed at His words for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes (Matthew 7:28-29). His words were noticeably different to what they were used to hearing. Not only were they comforting and re-assuring but also helpful in strengthening relationships between others that were in danger of falling apart. Being the Son of God, Christ’s teachings were centred on reaching the needs of His hearers rather than selfishly calling attention to Himself as many of the Jewish leaders were doing (Matthew 6:1-15).
One of the things He spoke about was the joy and blessings that come to one who makes every effort for peace between himself and others (Matthew 5:9). Since the beginning of time Man has wrestled with knowing how to get along with one another. Times have not changed, have they?
As December approaches many people throughout the world will be remembering the birth of Christ. There will be scriptures read and hymns sung that will speak of His coming to earth to be the Savior of mankind. One such scripture will be Luke 2:1-20. Just imagine, if you will, hearing a multitude of angels praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased” (Luke 2:13-14). But what is this peace among men referring to? The Scriptures speak of the peace that Jesus had (John 16:33), a peace that others could experience if they were “in Him.” Jesus had peace with God, with Himself and with His fellow-man and He wants all His followers to experience that same peace.
But how does one have peace with others?
Paul suggests the following, “If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord. ‘But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals upon his head.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:18-21).
Again Paul writes, “for the kingdom of God (the church) is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. For he who in this way serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. So then let us pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another” (Romans 14:17-19; Hebrews 12:14).
As members of Christ’s body we can either tear down or build up our relationships with one another. It’s our choice. But what should influence us to make the right choice is knowing what Christ would do. He is referred to as the Prince of peace, “For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of peace. There will be no end to His government or of peace,…” (Isaiah 9:6-7). We are a part of the kingdom that belongs to the Prince of peace. As He has brought peace to this world so should we. Jesus said, “Salt is good; but if the salt becomes un-salty, with what will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another” (Matthew 9:50).
It is impossible to love one another, forgive one another or be a peacemaker in the church without the strength Christ provides us with to do so.(Philippians 4:13). Remember, He dwells in us and desires to further accomplish His will through us. We need to simply submit to His will when it is required of us. We love others because He first loved us. We forgive others as He has forgiven us and we pursue peace with one another as He has made peace between us and God’s wrath (I John 2:1-3). The person who is a peacemaker is one who submits to the will of the Prince of peace who dwells within them. Paul puts it this way, “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and delivered Himself up for me” (Galatians 2:20).
“Walking in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called involves all humility, gentleness, patience, showing forbearance to one another in love, and being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:1-3). Unfortunately these verses are ignored by some Christians who think more of their feelings than they do of their Lord’s. Whenever tensions arise between them and members of the church there is an immediate need for a peacemaker. Why? Because there is the potential for a “fleshly reaction” to occur rather than a “spiritual reaction.” How many times have we heard of members leaving their congregation to join another because they simply could not get along with another member or members? Dividing instead of reconciling is not a God-approved resolution to any personal differences unless it is for scriptural reasons.
Concerning peace existing among God’s people David exclaims, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity!” (Psalms 133:1). Maintaining peace and unity among brethren exists only when every member continually strives for it. It only takes one member to disrupt that peace and unity and the ripple effect can be devastating. Yet it only takes one member to be a peacemaker and the ripple effect of their efforts can be a God-pleaser and church saver.
In my days at a Christian college I remember hearing heated words outside my dormitory door between two brothers both of whom I was very close to. I sensed they would soon venture into a fight over I’m not sure what although I have my suspicions. Before long I found myself between them and gently calmed the tension by simply stating that the way they were acting was not how Christians should be acting. Eventually things calmed down and everyone went back to their room. One of them was a Bible major. That taught me that it doesn’t matter how faithful to God I may think I am or how long I’ve been in the church, it is so easy to get caught up in “the moment” and set Christ aside and do my own thing. That is not the way of a peacemaker in the Lord’s church. Since it’s His church, it needs to be His way and only His way. And that’s why it’s so very important to learn how to not only be at peace with all my brethren but be a peacemaker between my brethren.
So how does one become a peacemaker in the Lord’s church and in the world? Believe it or not, the answer is simple. It is by recognizing and applying the latter words of Jesus in His sermon on the Mount. With regard to getting along with one’s enemies one is to love them and pray for them (Matthew 5:43-44). This action is what God expects of His children. We are not to just love those who love us but also those who don’t. As God sends the sun and rain upon the righteous and the unrighteous so should we send good things upon those we have trouble getting along with. The way we treat others needs to reflect the way our heavenly Father treats the world, even His enemies.
Loving and praying for those we have difficulty getting along with is a clear indication of who is in control of our lives and what our heavenly Father means to us. If we are peacemakers then He rules our hearts, our words and our actions. People need to consistently see God at work in our lives. When they see us as peacemakers they’ll recognize that we, like God, see good in all people. After all, who are you more attracted to – a troublemaker or a peacemaker?
Jesus states that peacemakers shall be called sons of God (Matthew 5:9). He restates this concerning those who love their enemies and pray for them with these words, “in order that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven;…” (Matthew 5:44-45). When it comes to treating everyone the same like God does Jesus tells us to have that same perfection in our treatment of others as well (Matthew 5:48).
Perhaps the words of Peter will help us seek and pursue peace with one another more than ever before. Listen carefully to his words, “To sum up, let all be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit; not returning evil for evil, or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing. For, ‘let him who means to love life and see good days refrain his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking guile. And let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and His ears attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.'” (I Peter 3:8-12)
And the angels praised God by saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth (the Prince of) peace among men with whom He is pleased” (Luke 2:14) May each of us be an extension of Christ’s peace to the world.
Owen Sound, Ontario