What Is a True Peacemaker?

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1)

Today’s big question: what is a true peacemaker?

The beatitudes of Matthew 5 are among the most quoted verses in Scripture. Jesus taught His followers some of the richest statements that have been dissected by theologians over and over again for nearly two thousand years. Within this treasure chest of richness, Jesus made a brief statement about being a peacemaker: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God” (Matthew 5:9).

Jesus declared that one of the elements of true blessedness (the riches of real inner joy) is in being a peacemaker. Peace is actually an essential element of Christian living, and there really is no peace for anyone outside of Christ (Isaiah 48:22).

As we read through Scripture, we find two very real elements of peace. There is peace with God and the peace of God. It is impossible for anyone to experience the true peace of God without first experiencing peace with God. So if anyone wants to be a peacemaker, we must first start with helping people know peace with God.

In his letter to the Romans, Paul describes our devastating position as rebellious sinners against our holy Creator. Because of sin, there is essentially a war between man and God (Romans 5:10), but man cannot win because only God possesses ultimate power and authority.

In Romans 5:1 Paul tells us that through faith in Jesus Christ we have been justified (made right in God’s sight) and are no longer at war with God. Instead, we have obtained peace with God. Having peace with God through Christ also opens up the door to have the peace of God in our lives because our future in Christ is certain for all eternity.

There is no such thing as peace at any cost. The gospel message is about both repentance of sin and salvation from judgment through Christ. It is not a feel-good message of misdirected love and tolerance.

Today’s verse reveals that a peacemaker is one who has received peace by acknowledging his or her wretchedness before God, and through repentance and faith has been adopted into God’s family. Following this, the peacemaker enters the Father’s business of spreading the full message of the gospel to others so that they may also know true peace. What is truly wonderful is that when we know peace with God, we experience the wonderful peace of God as we tell others about Him. This is Christian living.

Today’s big idea: peace with God leads to the peace of God.

What to pray: seek God’s peace in your life through repentance and faith.