Matthew 5.9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God.”
Who does God recognise as his children? Peace makers; bridge builders; reconciled reconcilers; lovers of enemies. Yes, that last one too. We are Christ’s ambassadors, ministers of reconciliation; not troublemakers, but peacemakers. God’s children bear the Father’s likeness, and are living reminders of “the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus.” (Hebrews 12.20)
Interestingly that Benediction in Hebrews comes a few verses after these no nonsense words: “Make every effort to live in peace with everyone…” v14 Being a peacemaker isn’t a part time interest, or a speciality for some; it is a barcode identity marker of the Christian. One of the more ridiculous ironies in the history of the Church, and in the history of many a local congregation, is that those called to be peacemakers have been more interested in being troublemakers.
Before Paul ever gets to the Fruit of the Spirit he draws up a mind boggling list of the Fruits of the flesh – you can read them all here at Galatians 5.19-21. Only then, read 5.22-23. Those who are led by the Spirit walk in the Spirit, are enabled by the Spirit, become instruments of the Spirit. Hence St Francis’ prayer, “Lord make me an instrument of your peace.”
In the office when likes and dislikes harden into alliances of them and us; waiting at the checkout and the person ahead of you has a handful of money off vouchers and it takes ages; the driver who ignores the lane closure signs and cuts in ahead of those sticking to the limit; racist or discriminatory comments left unchallenged; family fallouts that start as a wee line in the sand and threaten to become a grand canyon of grievances; the email that seems curt, inconsiderate, even just plain ignorant (in the Scottish sense!). Be like Florence Allshorn.
Florence Allshorn was a missionary who gave up the mission field and founded a College for missionary training because she had had enough of missionaries arguing, narking, competing, creating toxic relationships and contradicting the very Gospel they were called and sent to preach. She wrote in her journal, “All around us are situations going wrong, and our Lord asks us to share in his work and redeem them.”
Be like Florence Allshorn. Be an instrument of peace, a peace-builder, a peace maker, a peace giver. That way you begin to mirror the God of peace who in Christ reconciles all things, making peace by the blood of the cross.” (Col 1.21) Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God. Shalom.
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