Now I know in part...

Peacemaking will cost

October 29th, 2011 at 2:18 pm | Posted in Thinking biblical | No Comments

(I wrote this for church a few weeks ago)

Matthew 5:9

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God”

Peacemaking isn’t easy. Often its hard. It means forgiving, extending grace to each other. Letting things go when we’d rather not. Deliberately and intentionally, no strings attached.

Peacemaking done properly will cost us, pride at the very least. It leaves no room for retaliation, no space for self-pity. Peacemaking calls us to radical other-centered-ness. It’ll mean holding our tongues, and taking the initiative in reconciliation. Like I said, its hard.

It leaves the onus on us… to defend the rights of others without any consideration for our own. Peacemaking calls us to be wise, to know our blind-spots and weak points, aware of the moments when we’re tempted to all too easily react with less grace than we should.

On that day when we stand before God, he’s not going to ask us whose fault it was. He’s not interested in blame. His question to us will center soley around how we responded…

Feeling hard done by? Ever been misunderstood? Ever felt at the wrong end of an injustice?

You’re not the first. Jesus was misunderstood. Hideously. There’s no better definition of injustice. He’d done nothing wrong. At the cross, the great Peacemaker gave up his life. Willingly. For you. For me. For us. That we might have peace with God and be saved from our sins. Jesus went before us and now beckons us to follow.

Where can you be a peacemaker today? Where might you be tempted to defend yourself?

Who are you likely to need to be patient with today? Pray for them! Ask God to bless them.

Being a peacemaker isn’t just about being a doormat, there’s a reward. Its huge, a wonderful promise, don’t miss it! As we adopt the spirit of a peacemaker, as we follow in the footprints of our Saviour we enjoy walking as children of God.

Could there be anything more rewarding…?