Hope 4 Today: Influence Culture by Staying Connected to GodSample

Peacemakers Win Every Time

My brother was a peacemaker. I was five years old when he died tragically at six years of age and my mother often remarked after his death of how selfless Robbie was for a child his age. He would readily give up his possessions to others rather than cause conflict and when arguments would erupt, he often stepped in with unusual wisdom bringing an astonishing peace to difficult situations.

Why is it so difficult for adults to proactively seek peace and pursue it when kids can readily embrace it?

Making peace when battle lines are drawn is not a natural choice. The more natural inclination is to try to keep the peace. Disruption comes when we try to keep the peace. That is a mindset focused on ambition, power and envy. Without realizing it, we take sides, elevating ourselves into positions of authority all in an effort to force or “keep” peace.

Being a peacemaker is more difficult. It requires creativity, discernment, wisdom and sensitivity. The word Jesus uses for peacemaker is eirenopoios in the Greek and can be found in the book of Matthew in Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. The two components of that same word, eirene and poieo, show up together one other time in the Bible in James 3:18, “Good seeds of wisdom’s fruit will be planted with peaceful acts by those who cherish making peace.”

James instructs us that to be a peacemaker we must plant peaceful acts. We must pre-determine in our minds and hearts that we will make it a habit to grow peace. It should be one of our highest priorities and one we cherish above all else to accomplish. When we do, we are rewarded with wisdom from heaven. (James 3:17)

Peacemaking means we become considerate, submissive, impartial and peace-loving. (James 3:14, 16–17) In our present social and political culture of selfishness, dominion, prejudice and polarization we need peacemakers and the wisdom they bring from above more than ever before. 

Where can you be a peacemaker today?

  

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