It seems like animosity is all around us, on every plane of life. Politically, racially, educationally, and spiritually, disagreements can be found easily and in number.
Many have become contentious – “likely to cause a disagreement or argument” (merriam-webster.com).
As we continue on in Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, we discover He calls us to live differently:
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” (Matthew 5:9, NASB)
Here we find in Jesus’ own words that we are called to be peacemakers, agents of peace. We are to be people who call others to wholeness and harmony with one another rather than discord.
Looking at the social times in which Jesus lived, we find there was as much tension then as there is now. His followers were hoping He would bring a new rule of power and were disappointed in discovering this was not His purpose.The times were violent even then.
One title given to Jesus is “Prince of Peace (see Isaiah 9:6). Jesus imparts His peace to our lives, changing us into His likeness so that we then can become people of peace – peacemakers.
In his book, The Good Life, Dr. Derwin L. Gray writes:
“Biblically and scientifically, there is only one race: the human race. The human race is made of different ethnicities …
We need peacemakers who build bridges so the body of Christ can be an ethnically unified family, bearing witness to the world of our love for one another.”
(from pages 179-180)
The peace, inside of ourselves and extended to others, is not shaped by our outward circumstances but by our ability to allow Jesus to fill up our hearts and minds with Himself, the Prince of Peace. It is as He changes us that we become more peaceable, able to respond peaceably rather than react with contention.
In this time of tensions and divisions, we can be different – we can be peacemakers.
We can and must acknowledge the family of God as one family, united with many groups of people:
“Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth.” (Revelation 5:9-10, NASB)
As a family, we seek to live harmoniously within our homes. And it is to be no different in the family of God. Dr. Gray offers this sound suggestion for these days we are living:
“Because we love our siblings, we cultivate a posture of listening and learning, seeking to understand before being understood.” (from page 182)
We do this not so others will be changed, but so that we become different.
We become more like Christ.
We become peacemakers and are blessed.
Paris Renae shared Isaiah 41:10 in her post, I Am I Will. I had never before noticed the two “I Am’s” and three “I will’s.” And now, Iwill never forget it. Our God is with us in all things and never, ever will He leave us on our own. Be sure to read her post HERE as you will be encouraged and blessed for doing so.
Come, sit a spell. Bring your coffee, your posts, and your thoughts. If you link up, kindly visit those who have drawn up a seat around you.
Photo by Sunguk Kim on Unsplash
**This is an edited post which first appeared HERE.
This seems to be a nearly forgotten trait, especially online and on the road. May God give us grace to promote peace with Him and with others in all facets of life.
It appears God has given us a similar message this week Joanne 😊
Blessed are the peacemakers.Amen!
Jennifer
So true, Joanne. This thought is our great motivation, “We do this not so others will be changed, but so that we become different. We become more like Christ.” We can be the change we want to see in the world around us.
Good reminder: “We can and must acknowledge the family of God as one family, united with many groups of people.” He loves evrey race and nation. So should we!
I agree that becoming more like Jesus will help us become makers of peace instead of agitators.
Often the first step is to ask ourselves, “Does what I’m going to say really need to be said?”
Welcome back, Joanne! I hope you had the loveliest summertime break ever . . .
What a good reminder: We do this not so others will be changed, but so that we become different.
We become more like Christ. Thanks Joanne.
Thank you so much for this beautiful post on peace. I’ve been praying for that a lot lately. Peace in my family with a loved one dealing with Alzheimer’s and stumbling as caretakers to make sure we give our loved one the best care possible-constantly feeling like we should do more, peace in the world, and peace in my heart. Last week was a special date in my family. It was 80yrs ago that my mother lost her family, friends, and home to the atomic bombing. I speak to students, to discuss the need to see humanity in the other side. My mother was from Hiroshima(became a US citizen before I was born) and my dad was a white American in the Air Force. My daughter and I have been keeping her story alive, so it never happens again to any family. I live with a neuro progressive chronic pain disease as a result to her exposure to radiation. But my and my daughter’s message is that both sides’ stories deserve to be told, both are important. Telling one story does not minimize/demonize the other. I talk to students so they learn that children like my mom, loved their families, worried what would happen to them, and prayed for peace-just as the Allied children did. Thank you for giving me hope in your words today, reminding me that Jesus is the true peace maker, and he can also give me peace in all the uncertainty , anxiety and physical pain, that is swirling around me each day. God bless you. 🙏❤️