The Beatitudes - Blessed Are The Peacemakers
Blessed Are the Peacemakers: Living as Children of God in a Divided World
In a world marked by division, conflict, and hatred, Jesus calls His followers to be different. The Beatitude "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God" isn't just a nice sentiment—it's a core value of God's kingdom and a descriptor of those who are fully devoted followers of Christ.
What Does It Mean to Be a Peacemaker?
Peacemaking goes far beyond simply avoiding conflict. True biblical peace—shalom—is multidimensional, encompassing harmony, beauty, unity, virtue, safety, security, and justice. Peacemakers are those who long to see God's shalom fill the world.
Consider Francis of Assisi, who wrote the famous prayer "Make me a channel of peace." When God touched Francis's life, he abandoned his wealth and power to serve the marginalized. His first act was to kiss and resource a leper—someone society had cast aside. Francis lived out what it means to be a peacemaker, planting seeds of peace that continue to grow through the Franciscan movement today.
Is Peace Really Possible in Our World?
Our world's history tells a sobering story about peace. Of the 3,100 years of recorded history, only 286 years have seen relative peace. Even in America, only 16 out of our nearly 250 years have been without conflict.
As the band U2 laments in their song: "Heaven on earth, we need it now... Peace on earth, we hear it every Christmas time, but hope and history won't rhyme."
Yet despite this reality, Jesus calls us not just to keep peace but to make peace—to actively work toward reconciliation and justice in our spheres of influence.
How Do We Become Peacemakers?
Peacemaking begins with understanding God's grand story. He created us for right relationship with Him and others. Sin brought division, hatred, and rebellion. But God promised to write a new story through Jesus, the Prince of Peace.
True peacemaking involves three levels:
1. Peace with God
"For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him [Christ], and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood shed on the cross." (Colossians 1:19-20)
We can't have peace in our world unless we first have peace in our own hearts. This peace comes through trust in what Christ has done, not what we have done.
2. Peace Within Ourselves
"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts." In our busy world with its constant demands, we can become addicted to approval through social media and feel we don't measure up. Remember: you measure up in God's sight. He has put His sign and seal on you—you belong to Him.
3. Peace With Others
"Do everything possible on your part to live at peace with all men." This doesn't mean tolerating evil, hatred, or injustice—that would be a false peace. True peacemaking means taking steps toward reconciliation, proclaiming truth in love, and standing up for what's right.
What Does Peacemaking Look Like in Practice?
Peacemaking involves:
- Pursuing justice
- Seeking wholeness in life
- Working for harmony in relationships
- Seeking reconciliation when we wrong others or they wrong us
- Standing up against injustice
Consider Telemachus, a 4th-century monk who felt God calling him to Rome. When he witnessed gladiators killing each other for entertainment, he jumped into the arena crying, "In the name of Christ, stop it!" The crowd had him killed, but his dying words—"Let this stop in the name of Christ"—eventually led to the decline of these violent games.
Or think of Nelson Mandela, who after 27 years in prison could have sought revenge on his enemies. Instead, he established the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to acknowledge injustice while taking steps toward healing and unity.
Why Does Peacemaking Matter?
When we make peace, we reflect our Father's character. We demonstrate what His kingdom looks like. As Stanley Hauerwas noted, "A warmongering empire should find no support from the community that worships the Prince of Peace."
What would happen if Christ's disciples devoted themselves to nonviolent peacemaking? What if we grabbed hold of God's vision of a new heaven and earth where His shalom fills the land?
Life Application
This week, consider how you can be a peacemaker in your sphere of influence:
Is there someone in your life with whom you need to seek reconciliation? Take that courageous step.
What injustice in your community doesn't align with God's kingdom values? How might you speak up or take action?
How can you plant seeds of peace in your home, workplace, or community?
In what ways might you be contributing to division rather than peace? Ask God to reveal these areas.
Remember, blessed are the peacemakers—not because peacemaking is easy, but because in doing so, we are recognized as children of God who reflect our Father's heart for a reconciled world.