APRIL 25, Matthew 5:9

Many people talk about finding peace but never experience it, because they ignore their sin. Man will never produce peace on his own, because real peace is a result of holiness, righteousness, and purity. A person can’t have real peace until he bears righteous fruit. If two people are fighting, it’s because of sin; eliminate the sin and the fight will end. Mere separation achieves nothing. Only then the two will be reconciled.

Peacemakers make peace by sowing righteousness. You can’t be a peacemaker until the first 4 Beatitudes which focuses on man’s relationship with God, characterizes your life. That means you must start with the at-titude of a beggar in your approach to God because of your sin (Matt 5:3). Next you must mourn over your sinfulness (Matt 5:4). That will produce meekness toward God in the light of His holiness (Matt 5:5). As a result, you will hunger and thirst for righteousness (Matt 5:6). But when you be-come a peacemaker, the world won’t accept you. That’s why Matt 5:10 says, “Blessed are they who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake.” Peacemakers are always trying to bring about righteous solutions to problems.

To be effective as a peacemaker, you must maintain your peace with God. If you are living in disobedience to God’s will, you cannot function as a peacemaker. You can’t commune with God openly when you’re in sin nor can you dispense God’s peace to others. A true peacemaker first concentrates on his own peace with God. Remember that peacemaking is a God-like work. God makes peace with us; and as his children, we are to imitate him. Be warned though, if ‘blessed are the peacemakers’, then cursed are the peace-breakers. If peacemakers are the children of God, then peace-breakers are the children of the devil.

Thought: Am I a peacemaker or a peace-breaker?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, please help me to be an ambassador for Christ and bring together those who are at “war” with each other by telling them the truth in Your Holy Word. Forgive me of my sins and help me to be more like Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace. This I humbly pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.