ODB: A Family Trait
November 20, 2011
Because of the peace of God and peace with God, we can be peacemakers for God.
READ: Matthew 5:9,38-48
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. —Matthew 5:9
There’s an old Sunday school song that periodically comes back to my mind. Its words testify to the blessing of the peace that Jesus so generously gives: “I have the peace that passes understanding down in my heart—down in my heart to stay!”
There is something missing in that well-intentioned song, however. The peace of God is truly a gift we enjoy in our hearts as we fellowship in His presence (John 14:27; 16:33). But He never intended for us to keep all of that peace to ourselves. Peace is a gift to be shared with those around us. As Christians, it should mark our relationships and characterize the environment of our churches.
In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers” (Matt. 5:9), which indicates that we are to be intentional about bringing peace to our relationships. Since we are prone to be troublemakers instead of peacemakers, this is important advice. So, what does peacemaking look like? Peacemakers are those who turn the other cheek (v.39), go the extra mile (v.41), and love their enemies while praying for those who persecute them (v.44).
Why should we do this? Because God is a peacemaker, and when we make peace we are “called sons of God” (v.9). Peacemaking is a family trait.
— Joe Stowell
Source: Our Daily Bread
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Someone once said,”Are you part of the problem or part of the solution?” It is always good to be someone nice to be a match-maker of another kind. However, the challenges remain. How do you resolve someone elses sibling’s rivalry when you have to face your own? I think it is more important to share the peace message for all man through Jesus Christ during this Christmas seasons as much as we try to apply the peace among our brothers and sisters.
May we find God’s blessings as we seek to be peacemaker.