The Seventh Beatitude
Blessed is the peacemaker: for they shall be called the children of God. Matt 5:9
Peace, according to Vocabulary.com, is a stress-free state of security and calmness that comes when there’s no fighting or war, with everything coexisting in perfect harmony and freedom. A peacemaker is one who helps to prevent arguments, fights, or wars, thereby bringing about peace. Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Savior, is the ultimate peacemaker. Isaiah 9:6 presents Him as the very Prince of Peace.
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Christians, as representatives of the Prince of Peace, should always be willing to act as peacemakers. When we fulfill this role, we will be able to receive the associated blessing, to be called the children of God. Remember that to represent the Prince of Peace you must first have Him abiding in your eternal soul.
Executing the role of peacemaker is an active process. It causes us to “do something” when the peace is disturbed. For some people, our natural inclination, when a situation of conflict arises, is to run from it. As Christians, we have an ethical mandate to deal with conflict, not ignore it. Of course, the logical question is, “What are we to do about it when it occurs?” Ken Sande (2004), President of Peacemaker Ministries (www.peacemaker.net), suggests we can act in one of three ways when conflict surfaces: We can use escape (denial, avoidance, flight); employ conciliation (overlook, discuss, negotiate), or attack (litigate, assault, fight). Usually, the best response is conciliation because this is the response that brings about peace. Romans 12:17-21 says:
17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
Of course, there are some times when you just have to quietly forgive, not talk about a thing and forget it, because there are some types of conflicts that arise from ignorance or misunderstanding. As Jesus was hanging from the cross he employed conciliation when he said, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:24).
There are times when two or more people are so involved in their own point of view about a dispute that they need a third party to intervene in helping to resolve the conflict. The purpose of that third party is to become a peacemaker. That person should pray and get a clear answer from God about the advice or counsel that he gives. The advice should be based on the Word of God and fair and just in its delivery. When you have clearly heard from God, speak peace into that situation, avoiding gossip or inflaming the situation. It takes God to make you a peacemaker. Ask Him to do it for you.
This is a testimony of Peace by Kayla Spencer, taken from Facebook on 5/13/2016
If you pray for peace and God will give you the desires of your heart. Also, can you identify the Peacemaker?
“Devil Free Season” Testimony:
So a few months ago our Pastor, told us God was going to give us a devil free season if we stayed true to God. So of course the Spirit of God came in and we began to praise Him for it. Well a lot of my issues I was having at the time was at the workplace. But I believed God was going to work these issues out. Seemed like I kept going through the same trial with the same person and I asked the Lord, “Teach me how to discipline myself, in these heated conversations, tame my tongue”. Things began to get better, but everything wasn’t completely resolved, because this was someone I really wanted to witness to, but we stayed bumping heads. Me and my sister friend (Jennifer Theresa Black were talking and she began to encourage and tell me to pray for peace in the workplace. I said to myself I never thought about that. So we touched and agreed on that. My my my seems like it happened instantly, I kept praying that prayer and added a little more to it, God truly came in and rectified that conflict! He opened up the door for me to witness to that person and even when something is about to pop off, I pray and speak peace over me and my coworkers. You can’t tell me what God won’t do, He truly has blessed me to be a witness @ my job and to work peacefully for a couple of months now. Of course I have stressful days, but I have peace there and in my mind knowing I have the victory in prayer! God truly does hear and answer prayer! This coworker now speaks, acts, and talks to me in such a pleasant way. God didn’t leave any bitterness or residue of our past conversations! When a man’s ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him. Proverbs 16:7 KJV All praises and glory to God, for what He has done!
