The Beatitudes are some of Jesus’ most famous words. They are not his most easily understood words, but they are beautiful, true, helpful, and deeper than any one person is able to unearth alone.

Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, in his ‘Studies in the Sermon on the Mount’ said, “the Sermon on the Mount is a description of character and not a code of ethics or of morals.” This is helpful to remember so that we don’t moralize Jesus’ teaching. Jesus’ sermon on the mount is not a prescription on how to become a Christian, but it describes what a Christian should and will look like as the grace of God is at work in him/her. The good news of Jesus’ finished work of redemption continually transforms us. It produces the fruit of the Spirit in us, and as we yield and obey Him the fruit of the Spirit is evidenced in our living for others to see. Our living is important, yet it never produces the fruit of the Spirit, because the fruit of the Spirit is a mark of believers who are being transformed by Jesus’ gospel.

Before we talk about being and becoming a peacemaker, let’s ask ourselves two questions of why?

Why are peacemakers needed? Let me suggest at least two reasons. First, There will always be problems because we are all sinners. Listen to Isaiah’s cry of woe, “woe is me…I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips…” (Isaiah 6:5) Second, while we are all sinners, God seeks His children to be “workers together with Him” (2 Corinthians 6:1) in the ministry of reconciliation/peacemaking.

Why should I be motivated to be a peacemaker? There could be so many answers, but let me give at least two. First, we are often motivated by our God given desire to be happy. The happiness our hearts crave will only ever be satisfied in knowing, loving, and worshiping Jesus. Second, and most importantly, we should be motivated by a God-given desire to glorify God with our lives. As we become Jesus’ peacemakers in our communities, we will bring glory to God by resembling our Saviour well.

5 Marks of a Peacemaker.

  1. A peacemaker is a yielding believer who actively pursues God’s glory among His people by not dismissing injustice and also not condemning the guilty.                                                         
  2. A peacemaker is a soft-hearted friend who actively pursues the glory of God among His people by showing love to those who feel unloved.                                                            
  3. A peacemaker is a gentle voiced counselor who actively pursues the glory of God among His people by ministering God’s word to people who have lost their way.            
  4. A peacemaker is a bold truth teller who actively pursues the glory of God among His people, by speaking the truth in love to family members who are headed toward trouble.                                                                                                                            
  5. A peacemaker is a humble Spirit-led listener who actively pursues the glory of God among His people by repenting of his/her own sin when confronted by another peacemaker.                                                                                                                                      

Last thoughts:

Being and becoming a peacemaker isn’t really the goal of Christianity. Being a peacemaker can be and will be a wonderful result of God’s grace in and through our lives. If we mistakenly pursue being a peacemaker instead of pursuing the one and true peacemaker, Jesus, we will never fully realize our identity, assurance, peace, or our joy. So then, pursue Jesus. (Philippians 3:7-14) Pursuing Jesus is really the goal of Christianity.