Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Matthew 5:9
This sounds simple enough. Peacemakers are called God’s children. By whom? When? Why? Where? Will this buy bread?
Most people think peace is a good idea, as long as they get their own way. When they don’t get their way, there is hell to pay. Even the Soviets talked peace – “mir” – while they were the world’s leading terrorists, planning world conquest.
Peace, according to Jesus, starts within personal attitudes and behavior. In the “Sermon,” Jesus detailed this project. We are told not to return evil with evil. We are to turn the other cheek, do what is asked of us, and forgive affronts. We are to love unconditionally, always treating others as we would want to be treated if our roles were reversed. We are to forget ourselves, never retaliate, and let hostilities stop with us.
Sounds impossible, doesn’t it? It is, except for God’s promise that you will be blessed and will be called – known as – children of God. What he asks you to do, he will empower you to accomplish. His grace is sufficient.
What does it mean to be called God’s child? What would it mean to you if your father was President of the United States, or king of a great nation, or some famous celebrity? You would be famous by association, privileged in many ways, and protected by his position.
So it is when you are a child of God. God oversees your life, handles your retaliations in his own way, and protects your person. He continually sends you blessings, both spiritual and material. You get what you want and need by his grace, usually without even asking. Peacemaking brings peace and harmony into our lives.
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