“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God” (Matt. 5:9 ESV). These are the direct words of Jesus during His sermon on the mount. One of the markers that identifies us as children of God, as a people who belong to God, is our desire to make and maintain peace. The bible tells us in 1 John 4:17 that as He is, so are we on earth. If Jesus is the Prince of peace, then as His children, we ought to show this attribute of peacemaking too.
It is God’s desire for us to live in peace with others but one cannot make peace with others if he does not let the peace of God rule his heart in the first place. The first step to being a peacemaker on earth is to let God’s peace rule your heart. (Php. 4:7)
We are to be God’s instruments of peace. An absence of love and unity will lead to an absence of peace. Therefore, we must make it our life’s mission to restore love and unity wherever it is lacking. Have you ever been in a place and as soon as someone entered, you felt the whole atmosphere shift into an uneasy one? It is the effect of the spirit that person is carrying. But we know that greater is He that is in us than He that is in the world (1Jn. 4:4). We too should carry an aura of peace so heavy that others can feel it whenever we are around. Jesus had that same aura. (Gal. 5:22)
Charity, they say, begins at home. Living in peace with others is not reserved for people in your class or office alone. It starts from things like how we relate with our family members and neighbors. Our relationship with people of the faith matters as well. Peace maintains unity. Only through unity (concord) can we as the church move forward. The popular saying goes united we stand, divided we fall. Moreover, if we cannot hold peace within the walls of our church, how are we going to take it to the world? (Eph. 4:3)
As long as it depends on us, we are to make peace with all men (Rom.12: 18). Not just those that desire to make peace with us. The emphasis is on “all men”. If someone keeps looking for your trouble, don’t give it to them. At all times, we must show our godly values and live in a manner that glorifies God, even when it is not easy. Remember, if a person slaps you on a cheek, Jesus says to turn the other (Lk. 6:29). In essence, do not repay someone’s wickedness with wickedness. Repay it, instead, with kindness. A child of God should not even see wickedness as an option anyway.
The same way we strive to do those things that please God, the scripture tells us to strive to live in peace with everyone (Heb. 12:14). This does not mean one should become a people-pleaser. Strive for peace but not at the expense of living a life that glorifies God. If someone has determined to be a source of trouble to you because you choose to be upright at work or to evangelize or live a godly life, then let it be. At that point, you are not the one to blame. That is why the scripture includes the clause “if possible” (Rom. 12:18).
There may be times when it becomes hard, close to impossible, to make peace with someone. But we must pursue it, in deed and prayer. Pray for that person. David is an example of someone who pursued peace. He did so with Saul. Saul was literally after his life but David, despite having the opportunity twice, didn’t harm Saul. He did everything in his power and on his part to ensure peace. (1Sam. 24 & 26)
Even after coming face to face with the brothers who tried to kill him, Joseph didn’t get at them in revenge. He let peace reign (Gen. 42-43). It is difficult to make peace with someone you haven’t forgiven. The bible tells us that we have peace with the Father through Jesus (Rom. 5:1). It is because of Jesus’ sacrifice of forgiveness that we were made to have peace with God.
Sometimes, we want to be at peace with a person but that person is adamant on establishing trouble instead. It puts us in a difficult spot. But the bible says if our ways are pleasing to God, He can cause even our enemies to be at peace with us (Pro. 16:7). When we keep doing what makes God happy, He returns the honor with peace that even our enemies will uphold.
Those who plan peace have joy (Pro. 12:20 ESV). If you are always sowing seeds of discord or enmity, if you go about inciting problems, rather than being a vessel of peace, you will soon find out how empty and dissatisfactory such life is. But when you actively look for ways peace can reign, you are glorifying God. And for that reason, His blessings of joy come down on such a person. For no apparent reason, Haman sought to disturb the peace of God’s people and he lost his life for that. The price to pay for being on the other side of peacemaking is too much for any of us to choose such life.
“Those who plan peace have joy.“
Proverbs 12:20 ESV
So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding (Rom. 14:19). These are the type of things that really matter.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, make me an instrument of your peace everywhere, at every point, in every situation. Amen
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