War or Peace?

This verse has come across my path several times over the past few weeks - “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God." Matthew 5:9.

As I've said before, I never want to overstate the turmoil or challenges we face relative to other times in history but I will say that if we could ever use peacemakers, this is definitely a good time!

The next few months of political unrest on top of that the stresses of COVID, family challenges and school will prove the importance of this subject.

I am not a trained theologian so I will not try to completely unfold this verse but I think there are a few things we need to consider.

Martin Lloyd-Jones points out three important lessons when looking at these "Blessings" or Beatitudes in Jesus' Sermon on the Mount.

• "First, all Christians are to be like this. Read the Beatitudes, and there you have a description of what every Christian is meant to be. It is not merely the descrip­tion of some exceptional Christians.

• The second principle I would put in this form; all Christians are meant to mani­fest all of these characteristics. Not only are they meant for all Christians, but of necessity, therefore, all Christians are meant to manifest all of them.

• But the third is perhaps even more important. None of these descriptions refers to what we may call a natural tendency. Each one of them is wholly a disposition which is produced by grace alone and the operation of the Holy Spirit upon us."

Now we certainly never fully manifest these qualities (that's the point of the Sermon on the Mount) but for those who call ourselves, followers of Christ, we are to pursue and reflect them to a world that desperately need them.

When we think about this specific Beatitude, "Blessed are the Peacemakers", we need to think deeply about this calling. What does Peacemaker mean?

The greek word for Peacemaker is eirenopoiéo (eirene = peace + poieo = make). Eirene signifies a harmonious relationship and is not merely the absence of war or uneasy truce. Eirene signifies parties holding differences of opinion who are willing to turn toward each other and embrace one another in spite of their differences (https://www.preceptaustin.org/matthew_59).

Think about it, a peacemaker is not only looking for the absence of conflict but strives to embrace those who hold different opinions. This doesn't mean that I have to agree with them but care enough about them to embrace and love in spite of the differences.

We sure need more of this!

So what's the application:

• If I'm a republican, I will embrace my democratic friends (and if you don't have any, find some!).

• If I'm pro-life, I will embrace my pro-choice friends

• If I'm anti-mask and believe COVID is a hoax then I will sit down with someone who is scared to go outside because of COVID (and be willing to wear a mask)

• If I've stopped watching professional sports because of the racial reconciliation messages then find a black or brown brother or sister and embrace them (and have a conversation).

You don't have to agree with someone to care for them, embrace and make peace.

A. W. Tozer describes the beatitudes as the opposite of those attitudes that the world most values. He goes on to say, “A fairly accurate description of the human race might be furnished one unacquainted with it by taking the Beatitudes, turning them wrong side out, and saying, ‘Here is your human race.’ ”

To not make peace with those I disagree with is to make war. The english definition of peacemaker is a person who brings about peace, especially by reconciling adversaries. I'm not sure that I want to stand before the throne when my time comes and have to justify my warlike attitude and unwillingness to reconcile with those I disagree.

And here's my motivation - "19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. 21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation[g] under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister." Colossians 1:19-23.

I was once alienated and hostile yet God made pace through the cross. Don't ever take that for granted by creating silly warlike attitudes with those who disagree with you.

My recommendation - practice peacemaking. For those of us who live in the United States, we're really going to need you to fulfill your calling over the next few months and next few years.