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"Blessed are the
Peacemakers" (Matthew 5:9)
Micky Galloway
In
the presentation of the “beatitudes,” Jesus said, “blessed are the
peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” In a children’s
class the question was asked, “What would be the opposite of this
beatitude?” A child’s reply, “Cussed are the fuss makers.” Indeed! In
Proverbs 6:16-19 we learn that there are seven things that are an
abomination to God. Included in the list is “he that soweth discord among
brethren.” In our last article we discussed the sin of division. Let us
give attention to the importance of being a peacemaker.
The Scriptures are
abundant with evidence that God desires us to become like Him (cf I Peter
1:15-16). He sent His Son to shed His blood that such peace might be
possible between God and man (Ephesians 2:14-16). He is referred to as the “God
of peace, who brought again from the dead the great shepherd of the sheep
with the blood of an eternal covenant, (even) our Lord Jesus” (Hebrews
13:20-21). It is His desire to reconcile man to Himself through Christ (II
Corinthians 5:20) who is the “Prince of peace” (Isaiah 9:6). When
this reconciliation actually takes place, one has “peace with God through
our Lord Jesus Christ.” No man ever makes himself more like God than he
who makes himself a peacemaker.
Who are the
peacemakers spoken of in this verse? Are they people who make peace between
man and God or between man and man? Either understanding may be possible,
however, it must be peace that rests upon our peace with God through Jesus
Christ. The Jews and Gentiles were to have peace with each other, but this
peace was contingent upon their mutual reconciliation and peace with God. We
must help others to be at peace with God by proclaiming the “gospel of
peace” (Ephesians 2:13-17; Romans 5:1; Ephesians 6:15). However, “Blessed
are the peacemakers” takes on added significance when we read related
passages commanding peace. Consider: “If it be possible, as much as in
you lieth, be at peace with all men.” “Follow after peace with all men, and
the sanctification without which no man shall see the Lord.” “And the fruit
of righteousness is sown in peace for them that make peace” (Romans
12:18; Hebrews 12:14; James 3:18). “At peace with God and thus themselves
filled with sweet peace, they live in peace, if possible, with all men and
work to keep and to make peace where peace is threatened or lost. Theirs is
the work of true Christians who follow in the footsteps of the Prince of
Peace” (Lenski). A peacemaker is one who has developed a peaceable
disposition. One can’t be a peacemaker if he delights in strife and
contention. He has also developed a peaceable conversation and has learned
when to speak and when to be silent. The wisdom writer said, “A soft
answer turneth away wrath, but grievous words stir up strife” (Proverbs
15:1). James said, “Ye know (this), my beloved brethren. But let every
man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath” (James 1:19).
There may be realms
in which Christians may not be able to make peace. It may not be possible to
make peace among government leaders, but we can pray for them (I Timothy
2:1-4). I may not be able to stop wars among nations or resolve labor
disputes, but, as a Christian, I must learn contentment (Hebrews 13:5; I
Timothy 6:6-8). However, there are at least two realms in which Christians
can make peace and that is in the home and in the church. If we have peace
at home, the honor is ours; if we have strife and hate, the blame is ours.
Likewise in the church. If we have peace, we make it; if we have strife, we
make it. The peacemaker is not a “peace at any price person” (anything to
avoid trouble). But he has learned how to avoid compromise and error and
maintain a spirit of truth. Robert Shank has stated, “The love of the world
is the path of compromise. It ends in disaster.”
What makes peace
in the home? The marriage vow is of little significance to some, much
less God’s law. Read again Matthew 19:9. Marital fidelity, mutual
confidence, cheerfulness and kindness, unselfishness, self-examination are
all essential to peacemaking in the home. If a husband or wife is determined
to have his way (or her way) and pouts and complains when he can’t get it,
strife results; peace is destroyed. Whenever a home is torn by strife, each
needs to ask himself, “Am I to blame?” But what often happens is husband or
wife points the finger of blame at the other; again peace is destroyed. We
are often so busy assigning blame that we destroy peace rather than seek
peaceful solutions.
What makes peace
in the church? We must be careful to adhere to New Testament patterns.
All innovations cause strife. Instrumental music, the Missionary Society,
sprinkling, infant baptism, benevolent societies, fellowship halls,
gymnasiums all destroyed the peace of local churches. If there was nothing
else wrong with them, I would oppose them because they have destroyed peace.
In matters not essential to obeying God, Paul said, “If meat causeth my
brother to stumble, I will eat no flesh for evermore, that I cause not my
brother to stumble” (I Corinthians 8:13). Right living by all members is
essential to peace. Questionable conduct starts rumors, gossip, denials, and
so destroys peace. Humility is necessary (I Peter 5:5). Conceited,
self-centered members always cause strife.
There are two
extremes that must be avoided. There are some who pick fights and are
contentious about everything. They complain, but do nothing constructive.
Nothing is right with them. Others want peace at any price. These will
tolerate all kinds of error, allow every kind of innovation, because they
want to maintain peace. “But the wisdom that is from above is first
pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy
and good fruits, without variance, without hypocrisy” (James 3:17). True
wisdom begins with that which is right!
“They
shall be called sons of God.” Those who are peacemakers will be
evidence to themselves that they are children of God. God will own them as
such, and herein they will resemble Him. He is the God of peace; His Son is
the Prince of peace. God has declared Himself reconcilable to us all. He
will not own those for His children who are merciless in their hostility to
one another; for if the peacemakers are blessed … indeed, “Cussed are the
fuss makers.”
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"What Must I Do To Be Saved?"
Joe R. Price
A
form of this question was asked three times in the New Testament: Acts 2:37;
9:6; 16:30. Each time a direct answer was given. Before looking at the
answers given, please consider the question:
* WHAT: An inquiry about the nature of a matter or thing.
* MUST: Something is necessary or essential in order to be saved.
* I: Each individual sinner is lost and bears a personal
responsibility toward his or her own salvation
* DO: There is a duty that must be act upon.
* TO BE: There is purpose in sight, namely, salvation.
* SAVED: Delivered from the bondage of sin and death.
If
someone were to ask, “What must I do to be saved from foreclosure?”, a
debt-relief plan would be arranged with a series of necessary steps in order
to prevent the loss of one’s house.
God
has arranged a “sin-relief” plan – a plan of salvation – that will save you
from your sins when you follow it. The answer that was given to those who
believed Jesus to be the Son of God was to repent and be baptized
for the remission of their sins (Acts 2:38-41). A repentant believer was
told to “arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the
name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16). The man who did not know anything about
Jesus was told to “believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will
be saved, you and your household. Then they spoke the word of the Lord to
him and to all who were in his house” (Acts 16:31-32).
To
be saved from your past sins you must:
* HEAR the gospel of Christ (Mk 16:15; Acts 16:32)
* BELIEVE Jesus is the Son of God (Jno. 8:24; 20:30-31)
* REPENT of your sins (Acts 2:38; 17:30)
* CONFESS FAITH in Jesus Christ (Rom. 10:9-10)
* BE BAPTIZED to wash away your sins (Acts 22:16)
Now
the important question is, “Have you done what the Bible says you must do to
be saved?” If not, you are still lost. Obey Jesus now and be saved from your
sins! (Heb. 5:9; Mk. 16:16)
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Created by Chuck Sibbing.
10/04/2008
The Spirit's Sword is a free,
weekly publication of the Mt. Baker church of Christ, Bellingham, WA
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