Are you a peacemaker?

Are you known as a peacemaker?

In James 3:18, just after he urges us to rely on wisdom from above (3:13-17) and just before he digs into the causes of quarreling (4:1-3), he promises that "a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace." Why do you suppose he focuses on peace right in the middleof this passage?

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus says, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.” (Matthew 5:9) In Romans, Paul writes, “If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.” Peace is listed right after love and joy as fruit of the Spirit. All of Scripture calls us, as followers of Jesus Christ, to pursue peace.

This seems easier said than done, right? True peacemaking is not for the faint of heart. Nonetheless, “peacemaker” ought to be synonymous with “Christian.”

So how? How do we pursue peace with our spouses, our children, our siblings, our parents, our friends, our coworkers…and even our enemies?

“A peacemaker is someone who experiences the peace of God because he is at peace with the God of peace through the Prince of Peace, who, indeed, is our peace, and who therefore seeks to live at peace with all others and proclaims the gospel of peace so that others might have joy and peace in believing.” – Desiring God

We become peacemakers because we have experienced the peace of God in our own hearts and lives. Just as we love because we are loved, we extend peace,  pursue peace, and make peace, because He is our peace.

Father, thank you for Jesus, who brought perfect peace and modeled perfect peace for us while He walked the earth. May we be more like Him. Please give us Your wisdom, and rid us of selfish ambition and jealousy that is not of You. As we grow in Your wisdom and in understanding Your peace, may we bring peace to our families, our friends, our workplaces, our city, and our world. May we be known as peacemakers, for You are the great Peacemaker. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Where and with whom is God inviting you to pursue peace this week? A friend? A sister? A brother? A parent? A child? A spouse? Let's not delay. Let’s be peacemakers.

See you Sunday!