Blessed Are TheySýnishorn

Blessed Are the Peacemakers; Blessed Are Those Who Are Persecuted

When we have accepted by faith the free gift of God’s salvation and are allowing the Holy Spirit to transform our hearts, we will find ourselves in the wonderful position of being at peace with God. God has reconciled us to himself through Christ, the peacemaker, the one who “made peace through his blood” (Colossians 1:20). We must follow this example and be peacemakers ourselves, and in doing so, we will be called God’s children because we are doing what our Father did first. 

There are two dimensions to being a peacemaker. First, we have a responsibility to help others find the same peace and reconciliation with God that we have found, as we share the good news of the gospel with those around us. The Apostle Peter called the church “a royal priesthood.” As priests, we mediate for those who are still enemies of God, offering our prayers for them and offering them the peace and friendship with God that is available to them in Christ Jesus. 

The second dimension of peacemaking is to work for peace in our families, communities and wider societies. In Romans 12:14-21, Paul sets out a number of ways we can do this, including blessing those who persecute us, living in harmony, not being proud or conceited and not repaying evil for evil. However, Paul also acknowledges in this passage that sometimes we will not be able to live at peace with everyone, and so he instructs that we should do what is possible, “as far as it depends on you.” Our efforts at peacemaking will, from time to time, be rejected. 

Perhaps this is why the last beatitude in Matthew 5 is a blessing to those who are “persecuted because of righteousness.” When we live this spiritually poor lifestyle, there will be those who reject and persecute us. To live as a peacemaker under persecution is to bless the persecutor, not to give up our righteousness to try and make peace at any cost. 

Reflect and pray

Who do you know who hasn’t yet made peace with God through the reconciling blood of Christ? 

Commit to mediating that peace for them in prayer and by sharing the good news with them. 

Ask God to show you if there are changes you need to make in your life to live at peace with all, as far as it depends on you.