Would you like to be in a position to be blessed by God? Who wouldn’t, right? Listen to the words of Jesus:
Matthew 5:9 (ESV) — 9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
Notice how Jesus did not say, “blessed are the pacifists,” those who talk about peace but do not make for real peace. We find these types of people in the Old Testament in the time of Jeremiah, the prophet.
Jeremiah 8:11 (ESV) — 11 They have healed the wound of my people lightly, saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ when there is no peace.
Jeremiah 8:15 (ESV) — 15 We looked for peace, but no good came; for a time of healing, but behold, terror.
Real peace is a result of the work of the Holy Spirit on the life of a believer, and as the Spirit of God works in us, He also leads into deeper fellowship with the Lord Jesus Christ, Who is called the “Prince of peace.”
Galatians 5:22–23 (ESV) — 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Isaiah 9:6 (ESV) — 6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
The Prince of Peace brought true peace by way of His cross. As the Holy Spirit works faith in us to believe that Jesus work on the cross was for us, then we learn about justification and how God counts us as righteous as He did Abraham, who believed God. So the prince of peace brings peace into lives because through the work of the Lord Jesus Christ we have been “reconciled to God.” (Brought together in peace. Hence, through Jesus Christ.)
Colossians 1:20 (ESV) — 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
Romans 5:1 (ESV) — 1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Corinthians 5:18 (ESV) — 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation;
It gets better.
We are admonished to pray about everything instead of worrying about anything. As we follow the guidance of prayer with supplication and thanksgiving, letting our request known to God, we are given peace, but not just any old peace – “peace that passes all understanding.”
Philippians 4:6–7 (ESV) — 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
See how the Prince of Peace is working peace in our lives. Peace with God along with peace in all circumstances. But there is more.
Going back to 2Corrinthians 5:18, we see that God has brought peace in reconciliation into our lives so we would be “reconciliation ambassadors” promoting real peace, as in peace with God and peace with others.
2 Corinthians 5:18–21 (ESV) — 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Peace with God is the key. If we have peace with God, we can guide others to enjoy peace with God by ceasing their animosity and war with God and turning to the Lord Jesus Christ. Ours is a message of Christ’s victory and submitting to Him, we enjoy His peace.
Romans 10:8–13 (ESV) — 8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); 9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. 11 For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. 13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Romans 10:14–15 (ESV) — 14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”
Matthew 5:9 (ESV) — 9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
Helping others in the way of peace also involves doing whatever is necessary to live at peace with others, particularly taking the instructions of peacemaking seriously to the letter.
Romans 12:18 (ESV) — 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
Matthew 5:23–24 (ESV) — 23 So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
Matthew 18:15–17 (ESV) — 15 “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.
Matthew 5:9 (ESV) — 9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
Are you willing to be a peacemaker by bringing the Gospel of peace to those near and far? Are you willing to be a peacemaker by helping those who lack peace due to their anxiety by prayer and encouragement to pray? Are you willing to be a peacemaker by taking the lead in action and word in following Jesus’ teaching on living at peace with others? If the answer is a resounding YES to these questions, stand by because you are in a position of great blessing.
Matthew 5:9 (ESV) — 9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
Godspeed,
Bob Brubaker, Pastor
Christ Community Presbyterian Church
Clearwater, FL
