Putting on Christ Series 11/4/11

11/4/11

"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God," Matthew 5:9. Hebrews 12:14 lets us  know that we must pursue peace with all men & holiness (to be clean). without this no man will see the Lord. Christians cannot be disruptive, peace breaking people with animosity towards others. Rather, we are to be peaceful towards others, seeking a pure, clean life. James 3:18, "And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace." People that make peace will sow the fruit of righteousness (harvest of righteousness). "The 'peacemakers' are those who invite men to be reconciled to God & to one another (Romans 10:15; 12:18/2 Corinthians 5:20)," Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary. "The God of the Bible, however, is a God of peace (1 Thessalonians 5:23; Hebrews 13:20). He is the author of peace (1 Corinthians 14:33), and His messages is the "gospel of peace" (Ephesians 6:15). He sent Christ to bring peace & reconciliation between Himself & mankind & among people themselves (Luke 2:14; 2 Corinthians 5:17-20; Ephesians 2:11-18). What then, do peacemakers do? They prove that they are children of God by being like Him (Matthew 5:9). Having made their peace with Him, they become His instrument of reconciliation in the world. They are at peace among themselves (Romans 14:19; 2 Corinthians 13:11; 1 Thessalonians 5:13), and they seek peace with their neighbors (Romans 12:18,21). Beyond this, they bring the message of reconciliation to others, urging them to accept God's peace by faith (2 Corinthians 5:18,20). Peacemakers are not appeasers who seek peace at any price. Therefore, they are often not appreciated, even by those in their own family (Matthew 10:34-35). Preaching God's peace entails conflict with the world (John 16:33), but His peacemakers can enjoy His peace in the midst of it (Matthew 14:27)", Robert E. Wenger, Bible Expositor and Illuminator. Christians strive to be peacemakers, telling people about the reconciliation we have  with God through Jesus. We don't let the trouble that is bound to come our way deter us from this. We don't keep the pace, but make the peace. There is a difference between being peacemakers & peacekeepers. Peacekeepers try to keep the peace at all cost, including sacrificing what they've learned from the Bible in order to keep the peace. Peacemakers want to make peace. They seek to tell others about the reconciliation. Peacemaker or peacekeeper-it's up to us. Remember this, true peace comes from God.