Who Are the Real Peacemakers?

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. (Matthew 5:9)

Today’s big question: who are the real peacemakers?

“World Peace.”

Whether you hear it on a Miss America pageant, from a famous actor or actress stepping foot into the political realm, or from political leaders themselves, “world peace” is a popular unifying cry. We cry for peace, both for our nations and for our families. We give Nobel prizes to those who supposedly make profound contributions to peace.

Would the world give a Nobel Peace prize to Jesus? Jesus said, “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword” (Matthew 10:34). It seems unlikely that someone with a purpose statement like this would get a peace prize, doesn’t it?

The Lord’s definition of peace seems to be vastly different than the world’s view of it, but to understand what Jesus is saying we must understand the position of the world. By rejecting God, humanity has proclaimed war against our Creator. In man’s godlessness and rejection of God’s kingship, humanity has proclaimed itself king and denied God’s full and final authority. Man’s war against God has brought humanity to the lowest of conditions so that man does not even desire a relationship with out Creator.

Instead of retaliating against man (although He will ultimately bring just judgment), God became one of us. He lived alongside us, died on the Cross, and rose from the dead, thus making full payment for our sin.

The message of the Cross is not easily accepted. To understand that we are sinners under God’s judgment and that the only way to salvation is through Jesus Christ is an insult to the sinful human condition. Our pride says that we are good, undeserving of wrath, and can work out our own salvation.

The message of the gospel splits families and nations. Yet, the the gospel is the only message of true peace in the world. God does not advocate peace at any cost. Instead, the gospel is a message of peace that can only be found through God sacrificing Himself for us on the Cross.

Christians are the only real human peacemakers in the world. We have been commissioned to spread the only message that brings true and everlasting peace to those who sincerely receive it. This is the same message of the true God.

Christians are people who love, follow, and proclaim Christ, and live as God’s adopted sons. That is why true peacemakers shall be called sons of God, because true peacemakers are sons of God.

Today’s big idea: the message of true peace is shared by God’s family and can only be found in the Son of God.

What to pray: ask God to help you be more passionate about delivering His gospel to the world.