“Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God… “Blessed [spiritually calm with life-joy in God’s favor] are the makers and maintainers of peace, for they will [express His character and] be called the sons of God” (Matt 5:9; NKJ; AMP).

A peacemaker is a person who helps others solve a conflict and reach a peaceful solution. If two countries are engaged in a long war, peacemakers might help negotiate a ceasefire. Ambassadors and mediators are peacemakers. Some people don’t care about peace. They are troublemakers. But all believers are commanded to live in peace with others. “If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men” (Rom 12:18). Jesus blesses the peacemakers.To make peace in a time of war is much more difficult than to maintain the peace achieved. There are differences between peacekeepers and peacemakers. For example: peacekeepers operate under the authority of the Law. They punish anyone who is seen as a threat to peace. They sacrifice righteousness, even kill men to keep peace. They want peace by force. They can even compromise their conscience and spiritual values to maintain peace in the land. But Biblical peacemakers do not keep peace at all costs. They operate under the greater Law of Agape Love and Divine Wisdom. Purity of heart and motives is never compromised in the process of making peace. Purity is first, peace is second. “The wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace” (Jam 3:17,18). Peacemakers produce a harvest of righteousness in the land. Peacemakers are all humble. They love people. They do not withdraw from their communities. They are active in society and wise in their relationship with people. They are not easily discouraged by problems. They are always hopeful that peace can be made. There is a difference between unity and coexistence. Peacekeepers use threats of violence, or the presence of physical power, to maintain peace. But peacemakers, thru prayer, and by God’s Grace, aim at the root of the problem: the hearts of people, starting with themselves. Glory!

Peace is defined as a state of calmness and quietness; freedom from worries, fear, anger, obsession, and oppressive thoughts; mutual harmony between people and nations; no fighting and no war. When you are at peace with yourself, you are content with the way God created you, even with your weaknesses and flaws. In a state of peace people live and work together happily, without disagreements. In both Hebrew and Greek, the word ‘peace’ also means prosperity, health, favor with God and men. Christ is our King and our Peace. He shed His Blood on the Cross to reconcile Jew and Gentile, to make them one Body, in Him, before God the Father. “For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation” (Eph2:14).

Jesus told His disciples, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27). In both Hebrew and Greek, the word ‘peace’ also means property, health, and favor with God and men. To be troubled means to be agitated, disturbed, angry. The word ‘afraid’ means to be a coward, to be timid, and to shrink back. Like Agape Love, peace is bold like a lion. Jesus was clarifying the difference between worldly peace and godly peace. Many people do not have peace of mind. “But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. 21 “There is no peace,” Says my God, “for the wicked” (Isa 57:20,21). The world has external peace connected with beauty, wealth and social status. The worldly man believes that he creates his peace. When money and youthful strength go away, that peace is scattered. But for the believers, peace starts with a right relationship with God, thru Christ. This peace is God’s gift to His children. It is deep spiritual calmness

free from the changing circumstances. Peace is freedom from worries and protection of mind and emotions (Phil 4:6, 7).

“Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God” (Matt 5:9).

The scripture is taken from the Sermon on the Mount, preached by our Lord Jesus Christ. The word ‘Blessed’ means to be truly happy, to be congratulated and honored by all. In this world, it is common to hear of wars or rumors of war. The root of these tragic events is sin in man’s heart. Man is born a sinner. In his heart, there is wickedness, selfishness, jealousy, greed, pride, sexual immorality and many other sins. The natural man loves to quarrel and cannot make or maintain peace. Jesus said that natural men love darkness and hate the light (Jn 3:19). Sinners love trouble. They see it as entertainment. They hate peace. They see it as boring.

To be a peacemaker you must be a child of God, a citizen of the Kingdom of God. A new heart, a new perspective of life must guide you to appreciate peace with God and peace with men. The Jews imagined that the Kingdom of God is a military kingdom, and the Messiah King is an army commander. They rejected Jesus because He looked too peaceful and gentle for them. Jesus came from heaven to reinstate God’s Kingdom. When the people saw that Jesus could feed thousands, they decided to make Him King ‘by force’. But Jesus withdrew from them. They did not know Him, and they did not know the type of Kingdom He came to establish. He said tom Pilate: “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here” (Jn 18:36). To see and enter the Kingdom of God you need the revelation of the Holy Spirit. Selah!

No matter how educated, having good moral character, or being very religious, no unbeliever can be a peacemaker. According to the Bible, the only person who can be a peacemaker is the born-again, Spirit filled. He is not just a nice person who hides from trouble. He is a spiritually mature believer. He hates division and quarrels. He loves peace with God and peace with men. He knows the price paid for peace on earth. He knows that Jesus died to set men free from the punishment on sin. He actively looks for opportunities to make peace when there are divisions. His heart is free from selfishness, envy, jealousy and greed. He is fearless, dead to self, and totally free from self-interest. This is a high level of sanctification. If a man is not dead to the flesh, he will be too self-conscious. He will try to protect his reputation. He will be defensive during arguments. That is why a carnal Christian cannot be a peacemaker. A peacemaker is not always looking to gain fame for himself. He is morally neutral. He is not on the side of any man. He is on the side of Jesus. He behaves like Jesus. He knows that he was a sinner. Therefore, he has nothing to lose or to protect. You insult him and he keeps quiet. His desire is not to defend himself, but to give glory to God in everything he says or does.

Peacemakers actively involved in ministry are quite rare to find. A peacemaker is a special person, a blessing to humanity. He knows when and how to talk. He is sensitive, discreet, and wise. He never speaks wicked words that directly or indirectly hurt others. He does not intimidate or manipulate. He speaks words of grace that build others up. He is emotionally intelligent. The peacemaker knows his Bible. He uses God’s Word to guide his thinking and his decisions. If he sees an opportunity to make peace between two people, he is ready to suffer so that peace is achieved!!! He loves bringing people together, “with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, 3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph 4:2, 3). The Holy Spirit helps him and gives him favor with men. He is like Jesus. If Jesus was trying to defend His rights as God, He would not have died on the Cross for sinners. But Jesus humbled Himself, becoming a servant, to save men from sin. Jesus died to make peace between God and man, and between men themselves. The sacrifice of death to self is necessary to become like Jesus, our Prince of Peace.

The peacemakers are called ‘sons of God’. The word ‘called’ also means ‘owned’. As a peacemaker, God will own you. To owe it means to belong to God, to love and protect, to possess, to control, or to treasure. God will manifest His presence with you. He will cover your mistakes as you try your best to find creative ways to bring peace into this dark world. God highly rewards the peacemakers. Selah!