Peacemakers

August 21, 2011

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God,”
(Matthew 5:9)

Teddy Roosevelt, one of my favorite Presidents, negotiated an end to the Russo-Japanese War in 1905. He was the first American president to win the Nobel Peace Prize for his part in those negotiations. Other presidents have followed in his footsteps

We tend to think of peacemakers as those who stop wars and other “shooting” situations. Yet that isn’t what Jesus is talking about in Matthew 5:9. The word peace as connected with peacemaker in the Scriptures conveys the idea of a harmonious relationship between men and God. Romans 5:1 tells us, “Therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 5:10a says, “For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son.” God did not wait for us to ask for peace with Him. He offers peace to us by the paying of the price through the death of Jesus.

The Russo-Japanese War ended when both parties were able to reach an agreement. World War II ended when the Axis partners surrendered unconditionally; in other words, there were no changing of terms, no negotiations. God’s terms are also unconditional surrender. The terms are very clear. Only through Jesus so we have peace with God or salvation. “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). “And through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or in heaven” (Colossians 1:20). The terms are clear and simple; accept Jesus’ sacrifice, the grace of God, and Jesus as Lord (Philippians 2:10-11).

We have a role in the work of reconciling men to God. This role was given to us by our Lord. We are to strive to be peacemakers as we go through this life. “Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God”

(II Corinthians 5:18-20). If we are peacemakers, then we have one of the characteristics of our Father. To the Jew, the son has the same characteristics as the father. When Jesus claimed God as His Father, they wanted to stone Him for making Himself equal with God (John 10:30-33), for they understood exactly what Jesus was saying. Our culture has a similar saying, “Like father, like son”.

God through the gift of His only begotten Son on the cross is the greatest peacemaker of all time. When we work to reconcile people to God and work to maintain peace within the church, then we will be called sons of God. Let each one of us do our utmost to share the word of reconciliation with those with whom we come into contact.

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Almighty Loving Father, thank You so very much for enabling me to have peace with You because of what Jesus did on the cross. Help me to serve faithfully as an ambassador of reconciliation to those about me. In the name of Jesus my Redeemer, Amen. ~ Ed

Ed Wittlif ~ Denver, Colorado (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Ed Wittlif, former preacher of Albert Lea Church of Christ in Albert Lea, Minnesota, is a University Church of Chirst member.

University Church of Christ

Peacemakers