Be a peace maker

Jesus says there's one thing you can always know when we're like our heavenly father, Matthew 5:9 "Happy are the peacemakers,  for they will be called the sons of God."  You are a son of God when you're a peacemaker.

It doesn't say, "Happy are the peace lovers", everybody loves peace.  Or, "Happy are the
peaceable", those who never get disturbed by anything.  It says, happy are those who make peace -- who actively seek to resolve conflict.

Being a peacemaker does not mean running from the problem, pretending it doesn't exist.  You are not a peacemaker when you always give in and let the other person have their own way.  That's passivity.  Jesus was a very controversial person.  He stood his ground on a number of issues.

Why should you be a peacemaker?  The Bible says you cannot have close fellowship with God and be out of fellowship with other people at the same time.  I John 4 says "How can a man say `I love God' and hate his brother at the same time?"  If you're growing close to God and the other person is growing close to God, it's inevitably going to pull you closer together.

Matthew 5 says reconciliation is a prerequisite for worship.  When you come to church and you're ready to give your offering and you remember somebody has something against you, it says go, get that right and then come back.  Nothing can substitute for reconciliation.  Not giving, sharing, reading the Bible.  If you're having a hard time getting an answer to prayer, maybe you should check out your relationships.

How to be a peacemaker and face conflict:

Empathize with the other person.  Phil. 2:4 "Let each of you look out not only for your own interests, but also for the interests of others."

When you're upset, who are you thinking about?  Me, my needs, my hurts, you hurt me.  I don't care about you. God says reverse that.  Hold a peace conference and think about what are the other person's needs; what can you do to help them?  Focus on their needs, not your own needs.

Attack the problem, not the person.  Proverbs 15:1 "A gentle answer quiets anger but a harsh one stirs it up." Engage your mind before you engage your mouth.  Be sincere, not sarcastic.  You don't get the point across by being cross. Attack the problem not the person.  Don't criticize, condemn and compare. Ephesians 4:29 "Do not use harmful words, but only helpful words, the kind that build up and provide what is needed."

Cooperate as much as possible. Romans 12:18 "Do everything possible on your part, to live at peace with all men."  The hallmark of a Christian ought to be your ability to get along with other people.  It's not how much you pray, read the Bible, sing, give.  But, do you get along with other people?  That's the mark of a Christian.  Jesus said, "By this shall all men know that you're My disciples, that you have love for one another."

Please know that sometimes peace has a price.  It can cost you your ego, your self-centeredness, your selfishness.

The three most difficult words in the English language are "I was wrong."  That's compromise, cooperation.  The two most difficult words are "I'm sorry".  The five:  "I'm sorry.  I was wrong." Seven:  "I'm sorry.  I was wrong, a lot."

"Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called the children of God."  God says, "They are doing exactly what I would do if I were in that situation.  I would be trying to bring harmony where there is disharmony.  I would be trying to bring unity where there is conflict."  God has given us that ministry of reconciliation, of peacemaking.

Who can be a peacemaker?  You can.  Anybody can become a peacemaker.  But first you must have peace on the inside of you. You can't spread peace if you're at war on the inside.  Only what you have can you offer to others.

Don't look to other people, instead of God, to meet your needs. When you do that, you're asking for trouble.

God says I never intended for you to have all of your needs met by another person. There are some of those spiritual, emotional needs that only God can meet. When you look to God and you have peace with God, then your relationships can get better.  The reason why some of you have rotten relationships is because you have a war going on inside.
You're asking other people to meet needs that they never will be able to meet:  the deepest needs of your heart.

How do you find this missing peace?  You ask Jesus into your life.  Afterall, he IS called the Prince of Peace. You will then find inner peace. That's the kind of peace God wants to give you. When you have that in your life, then you can become a peacemaker.

Col. 3:15 "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts."

Have a wonderful week and I hope you find that peace.