One Heart - PeacemakersSample

PEACEMAKER or PEACEKEEPER

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” Matthew 5:9 NIV

Into a world that is ugly with violence and hate, Jesus sends us as peacemakers. We aren’t given the choice of whether or not we would like to be peacemakers, and we certainly aren’t given the choice of what kind of world we would like to live in. Peacemaking is not the absence of conflict, avoidance of strife, or the appeasement of parties. Peace in the Bible is never to be confused with pacifism and is always based on justice and righteousness.

The term “peacemakers” comes from the Greek verb that means “to do” or “to make.” It mandates action and initiative. Someone has to drag the combatants to the table and give them a reason to put down their arms. Peace never happens by chance. In Paul’s letter to the Romans, he exhorted, “If possible, on your part, live at peace with everyone” (Rom. 12:18). The hallmark of a Christian is the ability to get along with other people. The testimony of a church is its ability to get along with other people. We have a God-given, scripturally directed responsibility to pursue peace. Jesus says that those who are peacemakers will be known and recognized as what they are - the sons of God. A “son of God” is a statement of character. A son of God is one who not only carries on the family name but bears the family resemblance and reputation. Jesus is saying that as his followers become known as peacemakers, they will be recognized as the sons of God who share his name and share his mission. Our Lord is on a recruiting mission today. He’s looking for a few volunteers to join God’s Peace Corps. Will we take up the mantle of peacemaker? Every tiny step, every pure action, receives God’s blessing! - Rick Ezell.

Some 700 years ago, a remarkable man was born. Although he was the son of an Italian cloth merchant and destined to be a knight, he forsook the path of wealth and fame, choosing to wear a ragged cloak tied with a rope borrowed from a scarecrow. He spent his days preaching and giving to others. He chose to live in utter poverty. History records that he was a noble, kind, humble, Christlike man - one of the greatest Christians who ever lived. We know him today as St. Francis of Assisi. Centuries after his death, someone translated one of his prayers into English. It was later set to music.

“Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace Where there is hatred, let me sow love Where there is injury, pardon, Where there is doubt, faith Where there is despair, hope Where there is darkness, light Where there is sadness, joy. O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console, to be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive It is in pardoning that we are pardoned It is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.”

Each day this week and over the 7-week series, we will focus on the different aspects of becoming one, first becoming one with God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, and secondly, becoming one with our brothers and sisters in the Body of Jesus Christ, the Church. Thirdly, our role as peacemakers in the world around us. Daily prayer points focus first on our own individual lives (ME), then on the Church (US), and then on the world (THEM).

PRAYER POINTS

ME: Take the first step. Jesus said, “So if you are offering your gift on the altar, and there you remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift” (Matt. 5:23-24). You are to make the first move. “But,” you say, “Why should I go to the person when they are the one that hurt me.” Do you want the biblical answer? Because Jesus says so. Conflict is never resolved accidentally. That first step may be a letter, a phone call, or a visit. If someone has wronged you or you have wronged someone else, take action today. Your peace of mind and your Christian witness depends on your taking the first step.

US: Pray for the church that we will become known as the peacemakers in our communities. Pray that our obedience to Jesus' call will bear results in our nations that politics cannot achieve.

THEM: Identify the sources of contention in your nation. Begin to pray today that the Lord will give you an open door to become the peacemakers He designed us to be. First, by offering people peace with God. Then, by mediating peace where conflict and war have devastated so many communities and nations.

John 17 was Jesus' prayer for His disciples the night before He was betrayed. It is still His prayer today. We would like to encourage you to memorise the chapter of John 17 or at least the verses that speak to your heart, to pray it daily, and to ask that Jesus' prayer would be fulfilled in you and through you. If you have been journeying with us over the past four weeks, we are sure that the impact of this scripture memorisation is bearing much fruit.