We all have our favorite oxymoron. You may even have a list of them. My children become irritated every time I mention to them that something cannot be "wicked good." I think "jumbo shrimp" is a just bit of an overstatement. One that has caught my attention lately is "peace keeping military forces." Does this sound a bit confusing to you? Our military personal have been sent out on many such missions over the past several years. The reason they can use such a contradictory phrase is due to the world's definition of peace. For the world peace is merely the absence of conflict.
As children of God we are to be peacemakers, which means far more than striving to keep relationships conflict free. Peace is far more than the absence of conflict and it requires more than being powerful and heavily armed to make and keep. It is important for us to not only realize that we are to be peacemakers, but to know what peace is and what is necessary for it to be achieved. Ponder with me for a few moments about this.
The peace that Jesus gives is not as the world gives (see John 14:27). It is "shalom" reconciliation with God, wholeness, blessing, completeness. His peace includes the absence of conflict, but goes much deeper. He gets to heart of the matter. Jesus later in the sermon on the mount tells His disciples that killing another is not the real problem, but rather it is hating our brother. Therefore, Jesus deals with the hatred by giving us His love
Note the placement of this beatitude. Only when we have been filled with His righteousness (v. 6), are shown mercy, and are pure in heart can we be a peacemaker. We are filled with the righteousness when in poverty of spirit we mourn our condition and come meekly to the Savior hungering and thirsting for righteousness. This placement reveals several things, including: that being a peacemaker involves showing mercy out of a pure heart which desires God's will in all things, including our relationships. And, peace making is all about relationships. Hebrews captures this well instructing us to "make every effort to live at peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord" (12:14)
Yes, God's people are to be peacemakers, making every effort to see that no one misses the grace of God (se Hebrews 12:15), for there is no peace apart from God. Peace is only found within the context of grace and love. To attempt to bring about peace without Jesus is foolishness. The best that can be accomplished is a truce, which is nothing more than the world offers - absence of conflict. Be aware as well, that not every effort will be successful
There is one more thing we need to note before we leave here. As we continue to read the rest of the Beatitudes , we find that the rest of them have to do with being persecuted, insulted, falsely accused, and lied about. As preposterous as it may seem, peacemakers are not always welcomed. In fact, they are often the very ones who are turned upon. Jesus came to bring peace and we crucified Him. This cannot deter us, for we know that to be persecuted because of righteousness is to be blessed!
Keep Close To Jesus
Pastor Gerry