The Peacemakers
by Charles R. Swindoll
“Blessed are the peacemakers,” Jesus said (Matthew 5:9). Interestingly, this is the only time in all the New Testament that the Greek term translated “peacemakers” appears. Maybe it will help us understand the meaning by pointing out first what it does not mean.
- It does not mean, “Blessed are those who avoid all conflict and confrontations.”
- Neither does it mean, “Blessed are those who are laidback, easygoing, and relaxed.”
- Nor, “Blessed are those who defend a ‘peace at any price’ philosophy.”
- It doesn’t mean, “Blessed are the passive, those who compromise their convictions when surrounded by those who would disagree.”
No, none of those ideas is a characteristic of the “peacemaker” in this verse. The overall thrust of Scripture is the imperative, “Make peace!” (Check out Romans 12:18; 14:19; and James 3:16–4:2.)
A “peacemaker” describes those servants who . . . first, are at peace with themselves—internally, at ease . . . not agitated, ill-tempered, in turmoil . . . and therefore not abrasive. Second, they work hard to settle quarrels, not to start them; they are accepting, tolerant, and find no pleasure in being negative. In the words of Ephesians 4:3, peacemakers “preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
Ever been around Christians who are not peacemakers? Of course. Was it pleasant? Did you sense a servant’s heart? Were you built up and encouraged . . . was the body of Christ strengthened and supported? You know the answers.
Solomon gives us wise counsel on some of the things peacemakers do:
- They build up. “The wise woman builds her house” (Proverbs 14:1).
- They watch their tongues and heal rather than hurt. “A gentle answer turns away wrath” (15:1). “Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones” (16:24).
- They are slow to anger. “A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but the slow to anger calms a dispute” (15:18). “He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city” (16:32).
- They are humble and trusting. “An arrogant man stirs up strife, but he who trusts in the LORD will prosper” (28:25).
The Lord Jesus states a marvelous promise that peacemakers can claim: “they shall be called sons of God” (Matthew 5:9). God’s children. Few things are more godlike than peace.
When we promote it, pursue it, model it, we are linked directly with Him.
A peacemaker is not agitated nor ill-tempered, and therefore not abrasive. —Chuck Swindoll Tweet This
Excerpted from Improving Your Serve: The Art of Unselfish Living, Copyright © 1981 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. (Thomas Nelson Publishers). All rights reserved worldwide. Used by permission.
– See more at: http://www.insight.org/resources/devotionals/the-peacemakers.html#sthash.FrJ5FByw.dpuf
The Throne of Grace
Almighty God is righteous and just. Romans 3:23 tells us that all people have sinned and are inadequate to be in His presence. As a result of His wrath against sin, we were doomed to eternal separation from Him.
But thankfully, the story doesn’t end there. In His love and mercy, God sent His Son to walk among us. Jesus experienced the hardship and temptation common to all people, yet He never sinned. The Savior chose to die a gruesome death in our place, paying the penalty for our wrongs.
There is no deeper love, Scripture tells us, than a man who gives up his life for a friend (John15:13). Jesus went even farther—dying for us while we were still His enemies (Rom. 5:10). In fact, He would have sacrificed Himself even if you were the only person ever to exist.
Promising forgiveness and eternal life, Christ asks sinful man to believe and follow Him. When we trust in Jesus, we are adopted as God’s children and receive His indwelling Spirit, who blesses abundantly with joy, peace, and guidance. Always welcome before the Throne of Grace, believers have access to converse with the Father at any time. He promises to hear and respond to our seeking, repentant hearts. And Jesus intercedes for us, praying on our behalf.
We don’t deserve the Lord’s invitation to have an intimate relationship with Him. Yet in His grace, He is loving and compassionate toward us. What a privilege to be able to approach the King’s throne, knowing He listens, understands, and cares. Rest in God’s love, and enjoy sweet fellowship with Him.
For more biblical teaching and resources from Dr. Charles Stanley, please visitwww.intouch.org.
Revelation Nineteen – The Wedding Banquet of the Lamb – Video & Audio
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Down in the Valley
BIBLE MEDITATION:
“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me …” Psalm 23:4
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
Until the fourth verse in this psalm, David has been talking about the Lord. “The Lord is my Shepherd. He maketh me to lie down. He leadeth me. He restoreth my soul.” But now when he’s in the valley, he’s no longer talking about the Lord—he’s talking to Him. “Thou art with me…. Thy rod, Thy staff…”
Nothing will bring you face to face with God more than the dark valleys of life. But when you get in the dark valleys, you’re going to know what Jesus meant when He said, “I will never leave thee or forsake thee,” and, “I will be with thee always, even to the end of the age.”
ACTION POINT:
Is the Lord your Shepherd? Here’s how to find out. Ask yourself: “Is the Shepherd my Lord?” You see, the only way you can say “The Lord is my Shepherd” is to be able to say, “The Shepherd is my Lord.” Not everyone can recite Psalm 23 and claim it for their own. It belongs to those who’ve found a personal relationship with the Lord—a personal, permanent, protected relationship that will endure for all eternity.
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