Blessed are the peacemakers
Texts: Matthew 5:9; Romans 16:20; Philippians 4:4-9
1.) Peace is a byproduct of relationship with God
Peace is one third of the kingdom found in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17) I experience peace because the spirit of God lives in me. The word peace is the greek word eirene which means to be set at one again. When I am anxious or depressed there is something out of joint in my being. It could be something physical, mental or spiritual. Peace helps to realign me with God’s thoughts for me. This beatitude says that my state of being is that of being a peacemaker and in so doing I will reveal that I am a child of God. It doesn’t mean that I don’t battle against injustice but the way I battle might be a little different than the world is used to. Scripture tells me that my battle isn’t against people but rather against what influences people (principalities and powers) Prayer (conversation with God) is such a powerful tool against demonic influences. I want to encourage all of us to be a people of prayer. If we spent as much time praying as we do complaining about our circumstances how much would we see change? I’d love to give it a try and see what happens, how about you?
2.) Peace helps me to keep my focus on the Kingdom (Philippians 4:4-9)
Life sometimes speaks louder than than the truth, it easy to lose sight of this as we go about our days. We tend to live life in reaction to the things that happen to us. Jesus gave us an important advantage when He, not only, died for us but rose again for us to live with a renewed perspective. He has given us the advantage of living life in the spirit. We’ve reduced that to when we choose to focus on Him (typically on Sundays) But the Spirit is with us at all times. The spirit gives us access to heaven’s perspective called faith at all times if we want it When we reduce life down to what we understand we live with a judgmental perspective. We want justice the way that we see it. We judge people according to what we see with our limited perspective or what they have done to us. God’s perspective takes much more into account. He sees all of us through the eyes of Love. He is grieved when we look with judgment because even Jesus didn’t condemn the world, He came so that the world would know the Father through Him (John 3:17) As the song “Here is love” says…
On the mount of crucifixion
fountains opened deep and wide;
through the floodgates of God's mercy
flowed a vast and gracious tide.
Grace and love, like mighty rivers,
poured incessant from above,
and heav'n's peace and perfect justice
kissed a guilty world in love.-WIlliam Reese
Paul tells us in Philippians that The peace of God goes beyond our ability to understand and it will guard your heart and your mind. Faith proves what it sees. When I see with the eyes of faith the outcome will be that peace will lead me in maintaining my focus on the Kingdom operating in my life.
3.) Peace is our weapon
Romans 16:20 says that the God of peace will crush Satan under our feet. That is an interesting phrase. I would think that the God of war or the God of vengeance or something like that would be more appropriate to do violence to the enemy. However, keep in mind that the enemy is a bully and the only power he has is the power that we give to him. Ignoring the devil is actually the best way to defeat him. That’s why the previous point is so important. Maintaining our focus on what God recommends will help us to live in peace regardless of circumstance. I’m not saying it’s easy but I am saying it’s possible. Let’s use our peace as a weapon against the enemy and His tactics to discourage us. Let’s see others with Heaven’s perspective so that we can pray the solution over them.
