Peacemakers
Our Lord Jesus tells us there is a special group of people called Peacemakers, or Peace messengers.
Peace among the affairs of men is so elusive. After World War Two, the United Nations was formed to promote world peace. There has not been one single day of global peace since it was formed. Wars still rage and terrible suffering is inflicted on masses of innocent men, women and children. Why, oh why, does this nightmare live around the world? Truth is that, ever since the disaster in Eden, the harmony between the creation and its Creator is cruelly broken. Because men have no peace with God, they have no peace between themselves and, try as they will, they cannot find peace. This is the age-long fault with humanity. Alienated from God by reason of their sin, they are forever quarrelling and peace, although dreamed of, is beyond them.
Because man rejects true peace, he can never, by his own effort, find it. Power, greed, force of arms are constantly put before men as the things to aim for. The maxim of the world, it seems, is ‘grab what you can get, it’s yours, have your way, do what you want’.
So, the need for peacemakers is supreme. Man needs, above all else, peace with God and then peace with one another. The world today is the result of men and communities and nations going about to do things themselves, believing falsely that they can do everything. If the years have proved anything, it is that the famous so called among us and the politicians, the clever, the intellectuals are not peacemakers; all their efforts fail.
No, here is the wonder. Into this world, God sends out HIS BAND OF PEACEMAKERS. They are the sons of God. You see, the peace that eludes men, Jesus came to bring. God sent Him for this very purpose. By His coming and living the perfect life in obedience to His Father and offering that life as an atonement for our sin, HE MADE PEACE BY THE BLOOD OF HIS CROSS. Whoever turns from their sin and comes to Jesus for pardon is granted that elusive peace, the golden secret that the real Christian has as a present possession. Sins are forgiven, its power broken and they have peace with God. Peace then rules their heart and they have peace with men. They have joined the Happy Band of Peacemakers.
So, if you are a real Christian born of God, you have two responsibilities laid upon you. One is to help others find that peace by leading them to the Saviour. Yes, every one of us is to be a soul winner. When Our Lord Jesus called the apostolic band, He said “Follow Me and I will make you fishers of men”.
You are to tell the story of redeeming love and become a messenger of peace. The next obligation is to help Christians to be at peace. Alas, there is so much dissension among even real Christians that so little blessing comes upon us. God will not bless a quarrelling fellowship. Paul tells how so much disharmony troubled the Corinthian church and, although it had many members and many gifts, it was a hot house of quarrelling and jealousy etc.
Are you a peacemaker? Have you found peace with God in Our Lord Jesus? Have you real peace in your heart? If so, you are called to be a member of this select band. Not many mighty or noble or clever belong to it. Yes, it is unique but it’s God’s band, and there is no higher calling. It’s the greatest challenge for young, middle-aged and old . . . to be a peacemaker.
There are two things you must do to be a good peacemaker. One, maintain your peace with God. Walk each day with Him, keep short accounts, seek in every way to please Him. Secondly, guard your heart because if you sin, you will lose your peace and will not be able to lead others to peace.
What a joy, what a thrill, to be a peacemaker!! Ask the Holy Spirit to make you like Jesus. He is the King of Peace.
Emeritus
P.S. Of course, peace will come to this world for Jesus is coming back to do this very thing. Dr. Fullerton in his lovely hymn says “At His bidding, every storm will be stilled and all the hearts of men be filled with love”. Wonderful Day, soon to break upon us. It will be the Millennium Reign of the King of Glory and the prelude to the bliss of eternity.
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