What makes a disciple a peacemaker? How is that different from a worldview peacemaker? This devotion looks at where disciples’ peace comes from and what they are to use it to do.
Nuggets
- Peacemakers’ calm spirits comes from God.
- We are all creatures of God, but we are not all children of God.
- Disciples have peace because Jesus has given it to us.
- Peacemakers work to foster peace and reconciliation with God.
Devotions in the The Beatitudes Show Us How to be Docile series
In today’s world, there is a lot of divisiveness. We are in great need of peacemakers.
Disciples are called to be those peacemakers. Unfortunately, I think what this Beatitude was about is different than most worldview people think. Let’s take a look.
Let's Put It into Context
The devotions in the series are about disciples being docile. Docile means easily taught. As we grow in our relationship with God, we are blessed.
Blessedness means we have been perfected. For the disciple, perfection is holy, sanctified, and righteous.
Holy means to be set apart, perfect, and pure. Sanctification is the process where our lives are changed, and we made holy. Righteousness is the result of a solid relationship with God. Blackall said that righteousness is “living a life in sincere and perfect obedience to all the laws of God.”
Peacemakers are “those who actively work to bring about peace and reconciliation where there is hatred and enmity” (Holman Bible Dictionary).
We’ve talked about this before. In No Christmas Peace, we said that Jesus’ definition of peace meant reconciliation with God. It also meant peace with our neighbors (Mk. 12: 31) and enemies (Lk. 6: 27) — and ourselves.
Peace was a major topic of the Book of Ephesians. We learned in The Armor of Faith and Peace that part of God’s armor which we are to put on is the shoes of preparation. Preparation gives us peace and contentment that only faith in Jesus can bring. We can’t wait until the trial shows up to start reading our Bible and praying to God.
How Does Peace Help Us Tear Down Walls? told us that unity is peaceful. Jesus has broken down the divisions of Jews and Gentile. Instead of being separate groups, they have become one — children of God.
To read a related devotion, click the appropriate button below.
Peacemakers
“Blessed are the peacemakers …” (Mt. 5: 9 CSB)
Do you know people who are peacemakers? They are good at settling conflicts that arise in our everyday lives. That would be someone who is not easily offended. They can see both – and all – sides of the story.
Many people say those people are peacemakers because they love life. They seem to be basically happy people.
Their calm spirits comes from God. Remember what Isaiah said about Jesus. “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isa. 9: 6 NIV).
Jesus was called the Prince of Peace. Not Prince of God’s Angel Army. Not the Warrior Prince.
Prince of Peace.
Because our spirit comes from God, disciples shouldn’t be contentious. Thompson notes that, “before they can become true peacemakers and be entitled to this beatitude, they must seek and obtain inward peace for themselves (Ephesians 2:13-17).”
Paul also talks about this in Romans. “Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone” (Rom. 12: 18 NLT).
Blackall gave a list on how to try to do that. Disciples should try to “… avoid backbiting, tale-bearing, slander, detraction, and the like.”
Being peacemakers includes a willingness to compromise. That takes the ability to realistically see all sides and determine a fair middle ground.
Ooo, baby. That would require a cool head in some cases.
That also means we have to be able to give and take. That puts people first.
Watson explained the fine line that disciples walk. He wrote about being “(1) at peace with their persons, yet we are to have war with their (2) sins.” We are called to love others (I Jn. 3: 11) but not be corrupted by their sinfulness (I Cor. 15: 33).
Walking the fine line isn’t the easiest thing to do. That is especially true when worldview people are quick to bite on us for pointing out their need for a Savior.
That being said, disciples shouldn’t compromise our beliefs. Good cautioned us that “we overlook the most essential part of making peace if we confine our endeavours to the composing of differences among men, while we (3) pass by multitudes around us who are ‘contending with their Maker.’”
The job description for disciples is to bring others to the Prince of Peace.
The Disciple’s Job Description
Complete Job Description
Individual Description
Job Duty #4
Proclaim the Gospel (Mark 16: 15)
Job Duty #6
Make Disciples (Matthew 28: 19-20)
Part of the problem we face is that Satan promotes divisiveness. Mackay limited it to family, society, church, and state. These days nation and world should be added.
Bottom line is also a Watson quote. “We must so make peace with men that we do not break our peace with conscience.”
Children of God
“… for they will be called sons of God” (Mt. 5: 9 CSB)
We are all creatures of God, but we are not all children of God. Only those who are blessed are children of God.
Yes, the Bible does say this. “But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God” (Jn. 1: 12 NLT). If you haven’t submitted your life to Him, you are not a child of God.
Here is another verse. “But blessed are those who trust in the LORD and have made the LORD their hope and confidence” (Jer. 17: 7 NLT).
Go back up to where we put things in context and look at the definition of blessedness again. It talks about those who have ABCDed and have been perfected.
The ABCDs of Salvation
If you have not become a believer in Christ, please read through the
Plan of Salvation and prayerfully consider what God is asking you to do.A – admit our sins
B – believe His Son Jesus is our Redeemer
C – confess God as Sovereign Lord
If you have not become a believer in Christ, please read through the Plan of Salvation and prayerfully consider what God is asking you to do.
D – demonstrate that commitment by making any changes needed in our lives to
live the way in which God has called us
The Disciple’s Job Description
Jordan wrote, “They are the children of God by regeneration.” Regeneration is the change in us that God brings about when we go from being spiritually dead to spiritually alive.
It is where God breaks Satan’s hold on us. Only God has the power to do that, and He only does when we admit our sins, believe on Jesus as Redeemer, and confess God as Sovereign Lord.
Remember in How Are Disciples Pure in Heart?, we said God calls us to have a change of heart. This happens two ways: regeneration and sanctification.
In What Is the Relationship Between Righteousness and Sanctification?, we said sanctification, the evidence of justification, starts with regeneration and holiness and is the process of building the relationship with God that leads to righteousness.
To read a related devotion, click the appropriate button below.
That leads us to what James has to say. “Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness” (Jas. 3: 18 NIV).
Disciples have peace because Jesus has given it to us. “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Don’t let your heart be troubled or fearful” (Jn. 14: 27 CSB).
If we are children of God, that means we obey Him. We do the do’s and don’t do the don’ts — to the best of our ability while in these earthly bodies. We are going to mess up, but we need to ask forgiveness and strive to obey.
Good reminded us of two of the duties on our disciples’ job description. “The duty combines the attempt to reconcile men to God, through the peace-speaking blood of the cross, with the effort to heal the breach of friendship which has been made among individuals.” We are to preach the gospel and make disciples through peaceful measures.
Making the Connections
Peacemakers work to foster peace and reconciliation. I think most of the worldview people think this means no conflict.
I don’t think it does. Oh, yes. I don’t think disciples should be confrontational.
I think this means reconciliation with God and spreading His peace to those who need it.
Remember, God’s number one priority is getting us back to pure in heart. It is restoring our relationship with Him. God is more interested in our spiritual well-being than our earthly well being.
This world is not His priority. It is under Satan’s control.
Making the Connections to Self-Discipline
As we exercise self-discipline and seek God, we should be growing to imitate God. One way we imitate God is to become peacemakers. We can only do this as He floods us with His peace.
How Do We Apply This?
We have to seek God. We have to become more and more like Him.
Searching for and Seeking God
Hearing His Word (Rom. 10: 17).
Reading His Word (Rev. 1: 3).
Praying to Him (Heb. 4: 16).
Studying His Word (Ac. 17: 11).
Meditating on His Word (Ps. 1: 1-2).
Memorizing His Word (Ps. 119: 11).
To read Has God Provided Everything We Need?, click the button below.
If we are more like God, others can see the peace in us.
Father God. We submit our lives to You. Make us to be more like You — peaceful, loving members in this world who point those who do not know You to You. Flood us with Your peace so we might to the job that You have for us to expand Your kingdom. Amen.
What do you think?
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