The Beatitudes Series by DUO Inspirations - Part 7

“Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.”
                               Matthew 5:9 (KJV)
 
Hi friends,
 
     How are you today?  Today, we continue with The Beatitudes Series by DUO Inspirations.  As we look at the seventh beatitude in the Sermon on the Mount, let us remember that worldly views are not God’s views.  We could see the word peacemakers and jump to the wrong sort of conclusions.

     In the first part of the verse, it says, “Blessed are the peacemakers…”.  What comes to mind when you hear the word peacemaker?  This may seem like a strange question, but what do you think a peacemaker does?  However, the answer may be different than you think.

     When we think of “peacemakers” we often think about people who try to placate others and keep the peace at all times.  They often compromise to “not rock the boat” or to try to get others to do the same.  We may think that peacemakers are those who will do anything to keep peace, not rock the boat, and to stop an argument or war. 

     We may think that this type of peacemaker is good.  Who wants an argument or a war?  We might even think that these types of people are being good and selfless.  They are giving up their own wants to please others, to help others, and to keep the peace.  Yet, that is a worldly peacemaker, not a heavenly peacemaker.
     It may be okay to compromise on what color shirt you want to wear or which vegetable you cook with supper.  However, God doesn’t call us to compromise our beliefs to bring others peace.

     If God wanted peace like that, worldly peace not matter what.  Jesus wouldn’t have said in Matthew 10:34 (KJV), “Think not that I come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.”  Also, if God wanted peacemakers to have peace on earth as we think of it, He wouldn’t have told the Israelites to kill the inhabitants when He gave them the promise land. 

     So, if God is not calling us to have the type of peace that gives in to others or stops wars and arguments at all cost, what sort of peace is He calling us to make? 

     Actually, I believe that if we research the Holy Bible and pray about it, we will find that God isn’t asking us to encourage a peace between each other, but that he is calling us as Christians and believers to show others how to have peace between them and God.  In other words, God is calling us to encourage others to be believers and follow God’s ways, so that they are “for” God and not “against” God.

     God doesn’t want us to placate others to not rock the boat.  He gives us verse like Proverbs 27:17 (KJV) which says, “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.”  He wants us to stand up for God’s ways and show them to others.  He wants us to correct others if they are doing things against God’s will.  He calls us to sharpen each other’s understanding of His will for us.  God doesn’t want us to give in to others or plaster them with feel good vanity and half-truths. 
  
     Does that mean the God wants us to fight fights, start wars, and have arguments?  I think that is a question better left to God.  I think that we are to still remember to “turn the other cheek” as Jesus tells us in Matthew 5:39.  I think we should still leave the vengeance to God as Paul reminds us in Romans 12:19.  However, I can’t say whether God is calling us to fight or not.  In some cases, like when the Israelites fought for the promise land, they were called by God to fight.

     Now that we have explored the first part of the verse, let’s look at the second part of the verse where it says, “… for they shall be called children of God.”  What are your thoughts on the meaning of being called the children of God? 

     I think there are a few ways to think about the “children of God.”  First of all, some translations say the “sons of God.”  If we think about Jesus as being the “Son of David” than we know that it was customary back then to think of “son of” as sometimes being a generic or general term for lineage and a member or follower of a certain family or person.  (I am not a scholar or a translator, so hopefully I said that correctly.)  So, saying that those people who are helping others become followers of God are “children of God” would make sense in the Old Testament sense, because that would put us followers of God and in God’s family.  I believe that is the same sort of sentiment that Jesus meant when in Matthew 12:50, he said, “For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.”  If by doing God’s will we are brothers and sisters of Jesus, then that means we are children of God.

Heavenly Father,
     Thank you for giving us your holy Word.  Help us to understand the difference between heavenly peace and worldly peace.  Help us to know what we are to do to become peacemakers as in Matthew 5:9.  Help us to act in a way that would make us your children.  I ask this through your Son, Jesus.  Amen.
 
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Reflective questions for Matthew 5:9 (KJV):
*What does Matthew 5:9 mean to me?
*What does it mean to me to be a peacemaker?
*What are the differences between worldly and heavenly peacemakers?
*What do peacemakers do?
*Am I a peacemaker? 
*What does it mean to be a child of God?
*Am I a child of God?
*What can I do to better live the words of Matthew 5:9?

Note: 
If you haven't read the other parts in The Beatitudes Series by DUO Inspirations already, you may want to do so now. 
*The Beatitudes Series by DUO Inspirations - Part 1
*The Beatitudes Series by DUO Inspirations - Part 2
*The Beatitudes Series by DUO Inspirations - Part 3
*The Beatitudes Series by DUO Inspirations - Part 4
*The Beatitudes Series by DUO Inspirations - Part 5
*The Beatitudes Series by DUO Inspirations - Part 6

Now, it is your turn.
     Thank you for being here.  I am very interested in hearing your thoughts on peacemakers and God's children, or whatever you feel inspired to say.  Please, leave me a comment below or feel free to contact me.  If you are finding value in the Faith Blog by DUO Inspirations, please share it with friends and family.  Also, if you haven't done so already, you may want to sign up below to get the Faith Blog by DUO Inspirations and other faith content sent right to your inbox.  Have a blessed week!
  

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