Peacemakers vs Peacekeepers

Upside Down

Peacemakers vs Peacekeepers

Matthew 5:9

Someone has cynically said, “Washington has a lot of peace monuments.  They build one after each war.” 

The Foundation Of Peacemaking

“For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.” (Colossians 1:19–23, ESV)

What Peacemaking Is

• It is not merely a Peaceful Disposition
• It is not Peacekeeping

““Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a person’s enemies will be those of his own household. Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.” (Matthew 10:34–37, ESV)

• It is not the same as Peace Achieving

“If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” (Romans 12:18, ESV)

• Peacemakers strive to bring peace between God and Man

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:17–21, ESV)

• Peacemakers strive to bring peace between Man and Man

“I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:1–3, ESV)

How To Begin

1. Glorify God

“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31, ESV)

2. Get The Log Out Of Your Own Eye

“Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.” (Matthew 7:3–5, ESV)

3. Gently Restore

“Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.” (Galatians 6:1, ESV)

4. Go and be reconciled

“So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.” (Matthew 5:23–24, ESV)

““If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”” (Matthew 18:15–20, ESV) 

Resources:

• “The Peacemaker” by Ken Sande
• “Resolving Everyday Conflict” by Ken Sande & Kevin Johnson 

The Reward of the Peacemakers

• Our character Honors God
• God is honored as people see a Reflection of His character in His people

“and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.” (Acts 11:26, ESV)

“Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.” (Hebrews 12:14, ESV)

“So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.” (Romans 14:19, ESV)

Making It Personal:

• Have you personally experienced peace with God by responding to the peacemaking work of Jesus Christ through repentance and faith?
• What have been some of your misunderstandings about what it means to be a peacemaker? What adjustments in your thinking may need to take place?
• Take some time to think about the relationships in your life. What does it look like to be a peacemaker in your current relationships?
• What practical steps can you take to live as a peacemaker? How will you do it?
• Who can you share these truths with?

Ready to take your Next Step?

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