Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. 

Matthew 5:9

And here it is in the Amplified: Blessed (enjoying enviable happiness, ]spiritually prosperous—with life-joy and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions) are the makers and maintainers of peace, for they shall be called the sons of God!

Peacemaking is the ministry of reconciliation.

2 Corinthians 5:18-20 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. 20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.

Peacemakers try to reconcile people to God and each other. True peacemakers are those who have allowed God to search their hearts. They have repented of their sins and received the benefits of reconciliation. 

Once we walk through repentance and forgiveness for our sins, it is easier to lead others. We see the value and experience the joy and freedom of reconciliation. When we share our story with others, they too are drawn to God.

One of my mentors from years back said, “Blessed are those who are running after the peace. (i.e., wholeness or completeness that only God can give). This is what those who are children of God do.”

Peace or Shalom means wholeness, completeness, and healing, not merely the absence of strife. Shalom implies a positive relationship with God, enjoying Him in all we do.

Romans 12:18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.

In Philippians 4:2-3a, Paul writes,  Now I appeal to Euodia and Syntyche. Please, because you belong to the Lord, settle your disagreement. 3 And I ask you, my true partner, to help these two women, for they worked hard with me in telling others the Good News. NLT

God also calls us to aid in bringing reconciliation/peace between other believers and between people and God. 

Matthew 18 is full of counsel. Here are verses 15-17. Moreover, if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’ 17 And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.

If sin is not confronted in the body of Christ, it will spread. Peacemakers are moving in sync with God when they confront sin. He or she must speak the truth in love. If the sinner repents, wonderful. If not, the pattern is here to follow. Unconfronted sin will eventually divide or destroy the body. It pushes people away from God and the Church. 

Peacemaking is not an easy process. First of all, your own heart must be at peace with God. To be a peacemaker, you must desire God’s blessing more than the blessing of others. Not everyone will agree with you. You may offend people and lose friends. But, true friends are willing to speak the truth in love to bring healing. 

When Jesus spoke this beatitude, He was referring back to this scripture in Psalm 122:8-9.  “For the sake of my brethren and companions, I will now say, ‘Peace be within you.’ 9 Because of the house of the Lord our God I will seek your good.”

Even David knew the value of keeping peace in the house of the LORD. 

Here are some other encouraging scriptures about being peacemakers. 

Solomon also wrote Proverbs 16:7 When a man’s ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

James 3:18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

Hebrews 12:14 Keep pursuing shalom with everyone and the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. CJB

1 Peter 3:10-12 “He who would love life And see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, And his lips from speaking deceit. 11 Let him turn away from evil and do good; Let him seek peace and pursue it.

12For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers; But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

God is pleased with those who seek peace. He is the Prince of Peace and as His sons, God calls us to reflect His character. To be a ‘son of God,’ we are to speak and act like God. 

If you are not a peacemaker, these negative qualities will be seen in your life. 

· Faultfinding

· Constantly stirring controversy

· Troublemakers

· Slandering others

· Sowing discord

· Gossiping

· Quarrelsome

As we consider peacemaking, let us also consider this scripture from Romans 14:19. “Therefore, let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.”

Faultfinding, slander, hatred, unforgiveness, and so much more, run rampant in our world. Let us put on Christ and be peacemakers. The world needs it and so do we.

Shalom ♥