To listen to Nancy’s answer recorded from Moody radio, click below.
When Jesus spoke on the Beatitudes, he said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9). The Hebrew word for peace is Shalom, which means completeness, soundness, welfare, peace or wholeness. God’s peace is impossible to experience without Christ because He is Shalom. We have peace not through our efforts but only through the Holy Spirit.
“For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace” (Ephesians 2:14-16).
There is a significant difference between a peacekeeper and a peacemaker. A peacekeeper strives to keep peace at all costs. They do not want to cause discomfort by engaging with people with different beliefs.
Peacekeepers rarely accomplish anything of substance by not acknowledging wrongdoings to maintain peace. Peacekeepers like to keep their issues to themselves because they do not want to challenge anyone’s belief on a subject, even if it contradicts biblical truth. They traditionally avoid being with people who are different from them because they dislike conflict.
“People who wink at wrong cause trouble, but a bold reproof promotes peace” (Proverbs 10:10).
Peacemakers embrace issues with the hope of resolution. They are willing to put themselves in the middle of conflict and point towards important, unchanging truths as the Kingdom of God is advanced.
“He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness and without hindrance!” Acts 28:310
Peacemakers willingly put the concerns of others ahead of their own agendas. God’s justice and wisdom are the motivating force behind the desire to be the hands and feet of Jesus.
A peacemaker boldly lives out Jesus command to love God and others.
Becoming a peacemaker involves:
Knowing God and his call for your life as you seek God through prayer and reading the scriptures. The more we know God, the more peace we will have in carrying out His will.
I pray that the God who gives hope will fill you with much joy and peace while you trust in Him. Then your hope will overflow by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13)
Developing a genuine, unconditional love for others.
“You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth, so now you must show sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters. Love each other deeply with all your heart” (1 Peter 1:22).
Take time to build trust when entering a relational dispute. Living with integrity and showing no bias from one person to another provides a foundation for long-lasting resolution.
“Brothers and sisters, think about the things that are good and worthy of praise. Think about the things that are true and honorable and right and pure and beautiful and respected.
“Do what you learned and received from me, what I told you, and what you saw me do. And the God who gives peace will be with you” (Philippians 4:8).
The peacemaker desires to understand and compassionately work through issues by listening and speaking the truth to all involved. In the end, all involved are winners.
“The mind of a person with understanding gets knowledge; the wise person listens to learn more” (Proverbs 18:150
Jesus gave the title “Son of God” to peacemakers. God is described as “the God of peace” and desires that His children be peacemakers. Whether we are shy or outgoing, fearful or strong in our faith, or wishing to be spectators, God calls all of us to be peacemakers. The Christian community must work harder to move out of our comfort zone and be the light on the hill that reflects love and truth. God gives us courage, through the Holy Spirit, to not cave into the pressures of those desiring to speak and act out against the will of our Lord and Savior.
“May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will” (Hebrews 13:20-21).
“Those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness” (James 3:18).