Pages

Saturday, November 30, 2024

Peacemakers (Part 1)

By Clifton Angel


    “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God” (Matthew 5:9). It is certain that Christians are to keep the principles Paul wrote, “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men” (Romans 12:18), and while this principle may be included in Jesus’ words, it is not all that Jesus intended.
    Many portray the peacemaker as one who seeks physical peace at all costs. If someone is doing wrong, just ignore it, and “keep the peace.” Confrontation is unacceptable because we must “keep the peace.” “Lets just agree to disagree.” “You do you, and I’ll do me.” While there may be scenarios where such conclusions may be necessary, such philosophies cannot wholly describe disciples of Jesus.
    Christians are called to tell the good news of Jesus (cf. Matthew 28:18–20; Romans 10:13–17), and spreading the gospel requires confronting sinful ideologies with truth (Romans 6:23), leading those in need to godly sorrow (2 Corinthians 7:10), and exhorting individuals to change for the better (Acts 2:38; Acts 17:30). These are necessary because true peace—the greatest peace—is spiritual. It is peace and unity with God. Such peace is far greater than any physical peace we may enjoy with mankind. James wrote, “Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God” (James 4:4).
    To the church at Ephesus, Paul penned these words: “For he [Jesus, CA] is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father” (Eph 2:14–18).
    Jesus has made it possible for us to be reunited with God, and thereby, we are united with all of God’s faithful. That is true peace. Therefore, the faithful follower of Jesus is blessed in seeking to bring others to peace with God, which is impossible with the gospel, faith, repentance, confession, baptism, and faithfulness thereafter.
    Are you at peace with God? Are you seeking to lead others to be at peace with God? “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.”
 

- Clifton Angel preaches for the Coldwater Church of Christ in Coldwater, MS. He may be contacted through that congregation's website: http://www.coldwatercofc.com/


No comments:

Post a Comment