Are You a Peacemaker?
Read the Text: Matthew 5
Memorize the Text: Don’t think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. (Matthew 5:17)
Consider the Text: Matthew 5:9
The Sermon on the Mount appears in Matthew 5-7. This sermon, declared by Jesus, includes various attributes that characterize the people who follow after him. Matthew 5 opens with the Beatitudes. This series of statements reveal key characteristics that the believer should pursue. In Matthew 5:9, Jesus proclaimed, “blessed are the peacemakers.” Today, as we take a moment to reflect, we need to assess our faithfulness as a peacemaker.
Conflict occurs in the life of everybody. Conflict exists because of the fallen nature of humanity and the plague of sin. The believer received the command from Christ to practice peacemaking in such moments. The reality is that facing conflict exists as a moment of tension between the flesh and the faith. If we consider our calling as a peacemaker, then we need to understand the possible responses to these moments of trial.
First, the response of PEACEFAKING. The practice of peacefaking occurs when we seek to avoid the conflict altogether instead of facing the tension directly. The motivation of this response comes from the deep desire to avoid conflict instead of resolving it. When we respond in such a manner, we elevate the ignoring of the issue instead of the biblical response of seeking reconciliation. Peacefaking happens when avoiding leads to faking that everything is okay and neglecting to address the issue.
Peacefaking occurs when we attempt to deny any issue exists. The denial of the issue becomes evident in the moments of fake smiles and false acting for the appearance that all is okay. Thus, we begin to fake that we are at peace. Likewise, we often practice peacefaking when we just run from the issue. Such a flight response ignores the issues by merely running from it and desiring never to return. Thus, we become peacefakers.
Second, the response of PEACEBREAKING. The practice of peacebreaking is driven by pride and the desire to be victorious in the moment. We peacebreak when we become more focused on being right or winning the argument instead of preserving the relationship. Such a response comes from the desire to assert one’s rights and views the moment as a competition that must be won.
The method of response becomes more like an assault or litigation. The peacebreaker attempts to manipulate and intimidate through various means because of the desire to win. Likewise, the use of social media, friends, and colleagues becomes the place of airing grieves to win public opinion. This response does nothing to bring peace but forces a great divide.
Third, the response of PEACEMAKING. Peacemaking exists as the most difficult response by far. Peacemaking flows from the humility of the individual and authentically occurs when we trust in the ways and guidance of the Lord. Peacemaking means that we seek reconciliation with those we are at odds with during the conflict. The activity of peacemaking begins when our focus is to go higher.
When we take on the mentality to go higher, we ask the simple question, “How can I focus on God in this situation?” Every moment of conflict opens the door for God to be glorified when reconciliation occurs. When we leave God out of the reconciliation equation, we expect to remain in conflict. When the Apostle Paul wrote to the conflicted church in Corinth, he reminded them to do everything for the glory of the Lord (1 Corinthians 10:31).
When our attention becomes set on going higher, we must enter the moment of getting real. The ability to get real means that we seek to own our role in the conflict. In a culture of victimization, we often view ourselves as the victim of the conflict and fail to acknowledge that we play a role in the issue. The inability to own our part means that we only want to blame others for issues. When we get real, we identify our role and seek forgiveness and reconciliation. Later in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus will reveal the importance of owning your role when speaking about the splinter in your brother’s eye (Matthew 7:3-5).
The next step to becoming a peacemaker revolves around engaging others gently. The key to engagement is centered on engaging in peace and love. This means that discussing difficult issues comes with an approach that pushes toward reconciliation. When we gently engage, we do so quickly with a loving approach that speaks truth into the moment to seek restoration.
General McArthur said, “A truce just says you don’t shoot for a while. Peace comes when truth is known, the issue is settled, and the parties embrace one another.” So likewise, Jesus calls for believers to be peacemakers. Thus, we must not call for a cease-fire based on a truce but seek to establish peace. As a result, we must ask ourselves. Am I a person who is peacefaking, peacebreaking, or peacemaking?
This blog is part of the Coffee and Quiet Time with Jesus Devotional Series found at equippingfaith.com. Join the journey of reading through the New Testament this year. More information can be found at equippingfaith.com.
