Journal Entry // February 26, 2023
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. (ESV)
Matthew 5:9
As I am satisfied in the righteousness of Christ alone, my life will be a reservoir of mercy, purity, and peace. These three qualities will be in such abundance in my life that I will become an agent of mercy, purity, and peace as I move from someone in need of receiving to one who gives. That is the thrust of this verse I am looking at now. “Blessed are the peacemakers.” Blessed are those so full of peace, mercy, and purity that they become makers of peace in the lives of those they engage with. They are not just at peace with God and with themselves. They are not just at peace with those around them. They are not just peaceful people that others find enjoyable. No, they are peacemakers. They are actively engaged in the act of bringing the peace of Christ to any and every person in any and every situation. Their abundance of peace and mercy demonstrates and encourages peace around them. They are true makers of peace.
This is so countercultural to the way the world thinks. The world does not encourage anyone to be a peacemaker. Quite the contrary in most regards as we are inherently being pushed to be self-righteous and self-reliant. We are told that the way of peace is at most tolerance, unquestioned tolerance. This is not peacemaking. Jesus is calling us to something greater than mere tolerance. He is calling us to live a life that seeks peace with God both personally and communally. That our peace with Christ is so deep and meaningful, so extravagant and precious that there is an inherent demand to see this peace spread in my community. This community begins with my family and includes the many different relationships I have, along with both the local church and the church worldwide.
Peacemaking is founded on the satisfied soul of one who is hungering and thirsting after the righteousness of Christ. I cannot be a peacemaker without first resting in the peace of Christ. I must continually find myself at peace with Christ. This is the foundation. Yet, it doesn’t end there. The satisfied soul at peace with Christ will naturally seek to bring this peace to his many different spheres of life. This is the model that Jesus demonstrated when he walked among us. Jesus was about the business of bringing the peace of God to the community around him. This should be my calling as well. I too should be at rest and at peace with Jesus and finding myself at peace, I bring that same peace to others. Demonstrating a humble life completely dependent upon Christ for everything. For peacemaking is simply taking the gospel of Jesus everywhere I go. I think about it; I live it; I share it; I seek it. Peacemaking is loving Jesus with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength at every moment and with every breath.