The Upside Down Kingdom – Part 8 – The Peacemakers

Most of us remember the scenes from NYC on September 11, 2001. We remember video of firefighters, police and EMTs running toward the danger instead of away from it. We remember those who gave their lives not because they didn’t understand the danger they were facing but because they understood what was at stake.

We, as followers of Jesus, are called to be like them in that we are called to run into “danger” sometimes, and as peacemakers, this is especially the case. It’s not easy or pleasant all the time, but it is something that God is calling us to.

Remember that a Christian IS something before they DO something. And God is calling us to have the attitude of peacemaking, because reconciliation is something that is very important to God…and so, it should be important to us as well.

Peacemakers are not just worried about two people who are fighting. We are to be worried about peace within families, within churches, and even peace with our enemies.

We are called by God to make sure that our families are places where peace abounds. As husbands and fathers, men, we are called to lead in this regard.

And wives, this isn’t a one-way street. You are called to pursue peace in your marriages as well. Children, you have a role in this. Parents, you have a role in this. Every one of us has a role in creating a culture of reconciliation in our homes.

Peace is part of the fruit of the Spirit. In other words, if I’m going to become a person who consistently makes peace, I must become a person who is walking with the Spirit of God.

Jesus calls it abiding. Paul calls it walking by the Spirit. But no matter who is saying it, the point is the same: we cannot consistently produce Christlike behavior while disconnected from Christ. So, we must do our best to stay close to Jesus, remain connected to the Spirit of God in our lives, and live in such a way that keeps the power of God flowing in our lives.

And if we are called to pursue peace in our homes through the power of the Holy Spirit (which we are), then we also need to pursue peace in the family of God.

We don’t have conflict within the church because we’re a church full of terrible people. We have conflict because we’re a church full of people. And people are imperfect.

We will NEVER have a church that is perfect. But we CAN have a church that models well the idea of making peace with one another by bearing with each other, forgiving one another, and building one another up.

While it’s relatively easy for us to seek peace with our families and within our church family, it is something else entirely to say that we are called to make peace with our enemies. But we are.

We are called to BE loving people to everyone. Even those who have hurt us. And then are called to DO loving acts of kindness to them through forgiveness and the meeting of needs.

Remember Romans 12:18 here.

I want you to see, Christ-follower, WHY you should be a peacemaker. Why should you pursue peace with someone who hurt you? Why should you take the first step? Why should you walk toward the conflict instead of away from it?

The simple answer? It’s what Jesus did. And if we’re going to follow Jesus, it’s what we need to do, too.

God was the ultimate Peacemaker. He was the One running toward the danger when everyone else wanted to stay away. He was the one who cared enough to say, “I don’t care what it costs, I’m going to help these people.”

But here’s the thing I want you to see: what does Jesus say is the blessing of the peacemakers? They will be called sons of God. Why does Jesus say that the peacemaker is called a son of God? Because when we are peacemakers, we look just like our Father.

Two suggestions and then I’ll be done.

First, “Seek reconciliation in the areas that you can bring it to bear.” I would suggest you consider those areas in your life where in the past you have run away from conflict for the sake of comfort.

And then as God brings those things to mind, make up your mind to do something about it.

Secondly, if someone is pursuing reconciliation with you, grant it. Don’t make reconciliation harder than it needs to be.

If someone is humbling themselves enough to come to you and say, ‘Can we make this right?’—don’t make them pay for the privilege of reconciling with you.

So, first, go pursue reconciliation. And second, when reconciliation comes looking for you, receive it!

Run to the mess. Run to the conflict. Run to make peace. It’s what Jesus did…and in this Upside-Down Kingdom we want to be just… like…Jesus.