“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons
of God.” (Matthew 5:9, NASB95)
Peace is a huge subject in the Bible. It is the desire of
most people’s hearts, and there is frequently no length that people would not
go in order to obtain that peace. For many this peace is equated with calm, and
with calm there is the picture of not making waves. The hard part of this,
however, is that we live in a world where waves are part of the normal course
of events.
This is particularly so when beliefs, values, preferences,
or desires between individuals or groups of individuals clash. We are seeing
this today as one traditional value position of this country upon another is
challenged. This is not a new world condition. Jesus, Himself, knew the harsh
response of those who were opposed to Him and the message He proclaimed. The
apostles and early followers of Christ knew intense persecution as a result of
their faith, many even were likely not outspoken but merely known to be followers
of the Way.
This was the mission of a man named Saul, as we read in Acts
“Now Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the
Lord, went to the high priest, and asked for letters from him to the synagogues
at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, both men and women,
he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.” (Acts 9:1–2, NASB95)
But then something radical happened in Saul’s life. Acts 9
goes on to record, “As he was traveling, it happened that he was approaching
Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him; and he fell to
the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you
persecuting Me?” And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” And He said, “I am Jesus
whom you are persecuting, but get up and enter the city, and it will be told
you what you must do.” The men who traveled with him stood speechless, hearing
the voice but seeing no one. Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes
were open, he could see nothing; and leading him by the hand, they brought him
into Damascus.” (Acts 9:3-8) After arriving at Damascus God sent someone to
tell Paul what was to be his new purpose … “But the Lord said to him [Ananias],
“Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles
and kings and the sons of Israel; for I will show him how much he must suffer
for My name’s sake.”” (Acts 9:15–16, NASB95)
The gospel message has enemies. This is a reality. But God
is able to change enemies’ hearts just as He did Paul’s. Paul wrote this about
even the hatefulness of the Jews and the ultimate purpose of God in chapter 11
of Romans, where we read, “From the standpoint of the gospel they are enemies
for your sake, but from the standpoint of God’s choice they are beloved for the
sake of the fathers; for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.”
(Romans 11:28–29, NASB95)
Knowing his own salvation and the power of God to change
hearts, Paul wrote in the next chapter of Romans, “Never pay back evil for evil
to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. If possible, so far
as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. Never take your own revenge,
beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. “But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give
him a drink; for in so doing you
will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but
overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:17–21, NASB95)
We cannot control both sides of the peace formula, but we do
have control over our side. Even in disagreement there is a way to respond
which is right before God. The same Paul who stood before religious and secular
leaders to defend his faith and to proclaim the gospel of Christ, willingly
suffering imprisonment as a consequence wrote, “so far as it depends on you, be
at peace with all men.” In this we see that the answer to peace is not found in
compromising the message, but being compassionately wise in how we present it.
Paul’s ultimate purpose in presenting the good news of Jesus
dying for our sins and being raised from the dead on the third day was not to
make peace among men, but to bring people to peace with God. In Romans 5 we see
the clear link between knowing the peace of God and receiving the forgiveness
of sins.
“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace
with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our
introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope
of the glory of God. And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations,
knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven
character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because
the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit
who was given to us. For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ
died for the ungodly. For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though
perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. But God demonstrates
His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from
the wrath of God through Him. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled
to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we
shall be saved by His life. And not only this, but we also exult in God through
our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.”
(Romans 5:1–11, NASB95)
It was this message that has compelled so many people over
the history of the church to endure harsh treatment and even persecution. In
this, knowing that they are at peace with God, they have even been strengthened
to know the peace of God. Jesus said, as He was preparing His disciples for His
leaving,
“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the
world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be
fearful.” (John 14:27, NASB95)
“These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may
have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have
overcome the world.” (John 16:33, NASB95)
The next beatitude has to do with persecution, and as we
look at the issue of peace it is often difficult to separate it from the surrounding
conflict. It is in this conflict that God has given us His Word for direction
and His Spirit as a constant help and assurance.
“For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are
sons of God. For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear
again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out,
“Abba! Father!” The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are
children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs
with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with
Him.” (Romans 8:14–17, NASB95)
Our God knows our troubled hearts. He knows our every
struggle, and He knows the condition of every heart around us. He knows those
hearts who have trusted and those who will trust. He is faithful to bring to
Himself each and every one who is called, calling upon the name of His Son for
salvation. Through Jesus we are made to be at peace with God. And He has made
it such that we can know the peace of God in the midst of whatever struggle we
might encounter in this life.
It is because we have seen the grace of God that we can know
the peace of God. Grace and peace to each of you.
Beatitude facet number 7: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for
they shall be called sons of God.”
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