A Different Kind of Peacemaker

In the past four thousand years on our planet, there have been less than 300 years without a major war somewhere. Someone has even described peace as “that glorious moment in history when everyone stops to reload.”

We’re a people in constant conflict. James wrote, “Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members?” (James 4:1 NKJV).

Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God” (Matthew 5:9 NKJV).

This is something that most everyone would applaud. “Yes, blessed are the peacemakers,” we say. “Let’s work for peace. Let’s march for peace.”

However, Jesus wasn’t really talking about world peace here, though we all want world peace.

In context this verse primarily means, “Blessed are those who have seen themselves as they really are: Sinners without a Savior, humble and meek, hungering and thirsting after righteousness. Blessed are those who have a single focus on God and want others to come into the same relationship with Him because they’re bringing the message of the Prince of Peace.”

The Bible says, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!” (Romans 10:15 NKJV).

Yet know this: peacemakers are often troublemakers. For example, maybe you’re the only Christian in your family. But then one day you became a Christian and wrecked it all. You ruined everything. Your family was in a dark place, you just turned on the light, and everyone noticed it.

Just hang in there and keep following the Lord. Pretty soon another family member will come to Christ and then another. And before you know it, you’ll be a Christian family because Christ intervened.

A happy or blessed person will be a peacemaker.