Blessed Are The Peacemakers

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ . . . by faith . . . (NASB) Rom. 5:1-2

The word which He sent to the sons of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ (He is Lord of all) . . . (NASB) Acts 10:36

By believing and trusting in Jesus Christ, the life of a follower of Jesus is gradually changed. The spiritually dead life is made spiritually alive (Eph. 2:1-2) and the Holy Spirit starts to transform the new follower of Jesus Christ he/she continues to submit to God.

The transformation occurs by God working in the follower’s life. Galatians 5 tells us that the fruit or transformation the Holy Spirit produces in the life of a follower of Jesus includes love, joy, and then peace.

It is not a surprise that true peace comes by the Holy Spirit since we know that God is a God of love (2 Cor. 13:11). God is also a God of joy. Jesus said that He came to give us joy (John 15:11). We are also told that the Holy Spirit creates joy in our heart (Rom. 14:17; 1 Thess. 1:6). Love, joy, and peace are spiritual virtues.

True Peacemakers. True peace starts as a spiritual virtue in the heart which is then worked to the outside. In the following passage Jesus tells us why the peace of the world will not work.

But the things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and those defile the man. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders. (NASB) Matt. 15:18-19

Only peace that starts as spiritual peace will work. True peace starts with a spiritual transformation. As a result the followers of Jesus are the real ambassadors of peace. They have peace with God. A peaceful attitude is growing inside, and as a result they are becoming peacemakers. Only the followers of Jesus are the real peacemakers. Only the follower of Jesus can bring peace.

Peace and Righteousness. So it is not surprising that the followers of Jesus are called to seek peace.

If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. (NASB) Rom. 12:18

So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another. (NASB) Rom. 14:19

The followers of Jesus are called to seek peace - to pursue it. This requires more than a passive approach in our relationships with others. We should strive for peace in all relationships. We should be just like Aristippus.

But how do the followers of Jesus pursue peace? First we need to remember that we are in a spiritual war. Read the following passage from the Psalms.

Lovingkindness and truth have met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other. (NASB) Ps. 85:10

Did you notice that righteousness and peace go together just as lovingkindness and truth do? We cannot have peace without righteousness. We have discovered so far that this true. Here is another reminder of this truth.

But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. (NASB) James 3:18