Hello Fellow Humans,

With Jack Frost nipping at our noses, with the airwaves filled with Holiday music, and with our thoughts on Christmas, let us not forget to consider the Man-God Jesus, (AKA: The Reason for the Season) and (for our purposes also) His Sermon on the Mount some two millennia ago. Yo Gee, you dig?

We’ve been looking at the Beatitudes one by one and this next one springs forth from a merciful and holy character…

As scissors to the ribbon, let’s cut to the chase…

Matthew 5:9
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

In this beatitude (attitudes that characterize the true believer) the Lord Christ tells us that His spiritual children are marked as makers of peace. Interesting. You can tell a real Christian from a fake one in that they have a bent, a habitual lifestyle, as one who desires to make peace with others.

Several years ago, there was a SyFy Channel show called “Farscape”. In this show, one group of bad guys was called the “Peacekeepers”. They kept the peace with a heavy oppressive hand. Yet keeping is preserving something that already is. They didn’t make peace. Contrast blessed are the peacemakers, they are the makers of peace.

Let’s look closer at peace. Well, a Hebrew word for peace is “shalom” (שָׁלוֺם). Perhaps you’ve heard someone greet someone else with a “Shalom!” A Greek word for peace is “eirene” (εἰρήνη) from which we get “irenic”.  Peace is wonderful thing.

Peace is like a state of being… whole, sound, complete, tranquil, content, secure, etc. Peace can be between nations, groups, and individual people. There can be peace in the home, peace at work, or just in regular everyday circumstances. Just think of all the effort exerted toward achieving peace. Peace is definitely a desirable commodity, wouldn’t you agree?

Another state of peace that tops everything else is peace with God. (You knew I would go there, right? Ha!)

So… How can someone get this real, bona fide, 100% genuine, and lasting peace?

Lemme ask you this: When you think of a real Christian, they are some of the most well-contented people you know. They are stable and joyful even in difficult circumstances. How so?

Romans 5:1
Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Those real Christians have secured peace with the Eternal God of the Universe by the forgiveness of their sins through the Lord Jesus Christ. They have been declared “Not guilty”, and are rescued from their previous sentence of eternal damnation by putting their faith in Christ’s sacrifice of Himself on the cross. His death paid the due penalty of the sins of His followers.

This kind of peace is worth pursuing. It is crazy (and perilous) not to. When you are right with God and have peace with Him, frankly, nothing else matters! An amazing contentment and security (read: peace) engulfs you as willingly become a slave of Christ…

Philippians 4:7
…the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your heart and minds through Jesus Christ.

Now with that said… watch this most interesting process in the life of a true Christian: When they obtain peace with God, it is so good and special that they want others to have it too…

1^st Corinthians 9:19
For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more.

1^st Peter 3:8-9
Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.

How nice it is to be around a compassionate, tenderhearted, and courteous person. There is an attraction about them. Blessed are the peacemakers…

These people have real peace and desire others to have it too. It is only fitting, for who else wants you to have it?

Matthew 11:28-29
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

**Comments/ questions/ testimonies/ objections most encouraged!

Dear Lord, thank you for this time to consider Your word and Your ways. May our thoughts, words, and deeds bring You glory… and glory to You alone. –Amen

Peace,
Jim