Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. ( Matthew 5:9 )

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

Matthew 5:9

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Good evening and God bless my brethren. We are literally a few days away from Christmas and how the weather in my neck of the woods is quite chilly, but ever thankful for the blessings of family and friends whom I shall see during this time. I pray that during this time may this devotional encourage you during this holiday season. May we continue thinking about how God sent His only Son to die for sinners like us. Truly may we take every opportunity we have to share the gospel with family, friends and any other person whom the Lord may put along our paths. May we boldly declare this gospel and say as the Apostle Paul said so clearly to the Christians at Rome in that epistle," For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. " For truly we have the best gift to share this holiday season, not a gift card, not a new pair of shoes,but the gospel of Jesus Christ for it is the power of God unto to salvation to everyone who believes.

Tonight I continue in the beatitudes and I must say what a blessing it is to continue expounding this with you my brothers and sisters. For truly these are blessings. Tonight I move on to the seventh of the eight beatitudes the Lord mentions and here He says," Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. " Alright so now let us dig into the text.

First off we have blessed are the peacemakers. For starters as stated in a previous beatitude on blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy we understood that the blessing of not only showing mercy,but first being showed mercy. So the same goes here. By nature we are not peacemakers in fact by nature we are children of wrath( Ephesians 2:3 ). Doesn't sound like the type who is going around making peace with anyone much less with God. Well, I'm sure some may argue and say well John they seem peaceful by its very definition. Now let me take you over to another passage of scripture and then re-examine that thought in light of it," Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. ( John 14:27 ) " What I'm saying is this are they truly at peace or temporarily at comfort. For truly a person can seem at peace,but unless reconciled to God, they only have temporary comfort for as it is written those who do not believe the wrath of God abides on him. That doesn't sound peaceful at all in fact quite scary in reality.

So now in light of this think about what the Lord has done for those of us who are blessed to be called these peacemakers. Consider some passages of scripture which show us just how we are reconciled to God through Christ Jesus. That by first being shown peace,by having peace made between us and God through Him we then seek to do so in our very lives. First off let us consider what it says in Romans chapter 5 verses 6 through 11, " For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement. " Now I'll take you over to 2 Corinthians 5 verses 19 through 21 where again you will see the Apostle Paul echoing something quite similar," To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." Once again you see the point Paul is drawing here is that God reconciles man to himself through the person and work of His son, Jesus Christ. It is Christ whom makes it possible for there to be peace between a man and God. Consider yet another section of scripture," And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.( Colossians 1:20 ) " Truly as I've had the opportunity to tell a youth group of whom I find dear to me I know love and mercy for God showed them both to me first. The same is true of peace. For us whom can say blessed are those who called the peacemakers. Those who have been reconciled by Jesus Christ.

So what exactly does it mean to be a peacemaker. Well, let me expound on that a bit as not to get it confused with what some may think it to be. To be a peacemaker is to not be one who compromises nor one who is weak. I believe when the thought of someone being peaceful they often think of someone who is quiet and reserved,but let us consider a few passages of scripture and see what Holy Writ has to say. First let us start in Jude," Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. ( Jude 1:3 ) " Now right off I'm sure some may ask how does this passage fit in with topic of peace. Well, my friends as I stated a peacemaker is not a person who compromises and us being witnesses for the gospel that surely shouldn't be the case. As Jude most certainly indicates we need to contend for the gospel. Friends to contend to fight for it. This is to defend it and to not give in pressure. Yes we are peacemakers in the sense we share the good news of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,but we must at the same time contend for this gospel and not at all compromise it. Think about what I said earlier, may we boldly declare it as the Apostle Paul said in his epistle to the Christians at Rome,"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. (Romans 1:16) " You may say is it necessary to post that passage again and I say yes. For we need to be reminded that one we need never to be ashamed of this glorious message in which we proclaim to this world and two that it has the power of God unto salvation to all whom believe.

So what are basic applications of this blessing in our life. I find an example in 1 Peter chapter 3 verses 10 and 11," For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it." Another words peacemakers, us who have been reconciled to God through Christ Jesus will seek peace in all our relationships. You know it is truly been a blessing to see how men and women alike are much different in their handling with people after Christ comes in their lives changes them and continues changing them. How they handle situations and people in general. I'm by no means saying they are perfect,but when you look at the total picture you see where they do things in such a different way. Even when they make errors and come short watch how when brought under conviction they seek to make peace. Not because they want to look perfect,but truly they want to be more like Christ. They see their imperfection and say with the Apostle Paul I press on.


Now moving on, let us look at what the Lord says in the second half," for they shall be called the children of God." I must say what a blessing it is to be first of all reconciled to God. For in this first beatitude we in some measure covered justification. More than that, those who have been reconciled or made at peace with God are to be called the children of God. This comes about through adoption and what a blessing to be adopted into God's family. First let us go to the gospel of John to examine the depth of the beauty of adoption, "He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. ( John 1:11-13 ) " Let me first off say notice how it says He( Jesus) came unto his own, that being the people of Israel and they received Him not. Sadly the people of Israel for the most part did not recognize Jesus as the Messiah. Sadly today there are many Jewish people who don't. I don't say this as an attack,but as an honest fact. In fact at the wailing wall there are those praying for their coming Messiah. The fact is He came and He is coming again. Now moving on in those verses even though there were those who didn't receive Him, those who did believe in Him they were given the right to become the sons of God through adoption in Jesus Christ. Think hard on what verse 13 says , "not of blood, nor of the will of flesh nor of the will of man, but of God."Here in the first chapter of John,the Apostle John truly gives and clearly shows the deity of Christ. In this passage I believe we see a point, which in chapter three is shown in much greater detail and that is of regeneration. That is that man does not work with God on this,but this is a supernatural work done by God and by God alone. Think it it talks not of blood, meaning natural birth and then nor of the will of flesh, nor the will of man, thus here driving home the point that this is a work of God in this redemptive process. Consider the words of the prophet Jonah,"But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the Lord. ( Jonah 2:9 ) "


So you may say well, so we are called children of God so what were not the children of Israel called this too. Well, let get to this as I do believe it needs to be addressed and understood to some measure. Let me draw two passages from the New Testament which I believe will really help tie things together and I pray will bring clarity and edification to the saints. First let us go to the gospel of Matthew and see what John the Baptist says to the Pharisees and Sadducees, " But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire ( Matthew 3:7-10 ) " Then let us also look at Romans 9 and what the Apostle Paul says to the Christians at Rome," Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.( Romans 9:6-8 ) " The point I'm trying to drive home is not all Israel is Israel just as Paul states another words there were those among them who truly were counted among God's children and others who were Israelites by nationality. When you look at verse eight you really do get a clear understanding for it is the children of promise and not the children of the flesh. Scripture is quite clear in distinguishing two groups. Consider other examples the sheep and the goats, the righteous and the wicked and others. I felt the need to address as we need not think based on parents, family, or friends may we consider ourselves getting in to heaven. For that is exactly what the Pharisees and Sadduccess thought, they figured Abraham was their father so they were getting in on his coat tails so to speak, but the truth is, it doesn't work that way. You must repent and believe on the gospel, for it is Christ and Christ alone whom saves not man. For there is only one name in which you can be saved by and that is Jesus Christ. Sadly they never understood this and continued to get the wicked desires of their hearts. Friends please remember we need not think we have anything based on what family or friends have done,but instead look to Christ alone. For it is His perfect work upon Calvary in which secured our salvation.


My friends I'd like to conclude tonight by saying truly we are blessed to be reconciled to God through Jesus Christ and may we never forget it. May we instead over this holiday season reflect on the perfect work on Calvary and what Christ did for us. Reflect on what it means to blessed to be a peacemaker and by that blessing know you are called a child of God through adoption. My brethren may I leave you with some passage of scripture to meditate and chew on in reference to tonight's devotional.


"For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:"
( Romans 8:14-16 )


"Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:"
( Hebrews 12:14 )


"Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace."
( James 3:13-18 )


Good night and God bless,
John W. Whybrew III <><