Matthew 5: 9 & 10 ” Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Another definition of “Blessed” is to be at peace because of the work of God within. The work of God is like a treatise between two parties. There is an exchange that occurs and it is recorded for us in Isaiah 1:18 “Come now, let us reason together, saith The Lord: though your sins be as scarlet they shall be white as snow; though they be red as crimson they shall be (white) as wool.” This is what God brings to the table – forgiveness. What we bring is our confession, agreeing to His statement. Some of us struggle admitting this to ourselves. Instead we want to bring “our good deeds” to the table and have God validate us. Yet if we are truly honest with ourselves, though there be good intent in us, goodness is a far cry from righteousness and that is what God is offering. If we accept His offer, by accepting Christ as our Redeemer, our sins are forgiven and the exchange is ” complete or sealed” by the giving of His Holy Spirit. The Spirit of Peace. ” But as many as received Him, to them gave He power (the Holy Spirit) to become the sons/ daughters of God…” John 1: 12 – its a promise.
Another definition of peace is “to make one again.” It comes from the medical field with the concept of something being broken, e.g., a broken arm. In the arm being “set,” healing and “oneness” can be restored. When sin entered into man we became ” broken” from “The Life” that sustained us. This continued until Christ. The Law (10 Commandments, though there were many more) was given as a type of “custodian” or “school teacher” that pointed us forward to Christ’s Advent. It was never meant to be used as a means for salvation or as a means to compare ourselves, or justify ourselves. For the Law itself says that ” he who lives by the law shall be judged by it” and further says ” the soul that sins (under the law) shall surely die.” We do not want to live under the law, but under God’s Grace that will exchange our scarlet sins for the purity of His Holiness (white as snow). We need to be “set” back into fellowship with The Lord.
” Blessed are the peacemakers,” starts then with those who have received His peace. Therefore by definition “The one who, having received the peace of God in his own heart, brings peace to others. He/ She simply is not one who makes peace between two parties, but one who spreads the good news of the peace of God which he/she has experienced.” This now is when all the other “Be Attitudes” prior, having been accepted and fruitful in us, begin to go outside of us. Reaching out to others. At this point we start manifesting the “Life of Christ.” It has to go profoundly inward before it can go effectively outward. As one person put it, “A mature Christian should always be witnessing of the life of Christ, and at times – use words.” In other words, more is “caught,” or lived out, than taught. A truth all parents know. The greatest honor given as believers is when someone outside the faith asks if we believe in God, or if we go to church. Our actions have spoken before ever a word was shared. It’s a moment to quietly thank The Lord for His patience and gracious work in us.
” Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness sake…” Here’s the part where you can hear a pin drop; when all of a sudden we realize that being a Christian could cost me. It could cost us our job, our reputation, maybe even our marriage, or maybe the guy or girl you’re hoping to date etc. In many other countries persecution – physical harm, jail, beatings, even your life can be taken from you for confessing Christ. This is what potentially awaits new believers in these countries. Therefore we must “count (consider)the cost.” Is it better to live free from persecution, be dominated by worldly priorities, absence of the Life of Christ, or “be being” set free from sin, but potentially endure hardship for my faith? This is a personal question that only you can answer. For me to live life without the “Life Giver,” is to have a life lived with many wrong turns and deep regrets. Not to mention the absence of true, abiding peace and His Divine Love. I would rather live well, live joyously, live under the guidance and companionship of the Lord and accept what consequences may arise, than to live without Him. His Life, defines my life. Life without Him is like taking a black and white picture of your favorite scene. All the objects you love are there but everything is subdued, and so much of the color that speaks of life is missing. As a believer our emphasis is not in being “comfortable” in this life. It is not necessary that all “our perceived needs” be met. Jesus is the Vine and we are His branches (John 15:5). We just need to abide (dwell, belong, communion) with Him to make the most of this life, for overwhelming joy is coming – ” for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.”
Father God,
Thank you that you will never leave or forsake us. This does not mean that hard times do not await us, but it means that through the hard times, not only will you use it to grow our faith but your faithfulness will be seen. You only ask us to be in prayer often (Philip. 4:6) and to store up your Word in us that we might not sin against You (Ps.119: 7 -9), feeding our soul with the food of the Spirit (The Bible) thereby growing our faith, ” For faith cometh, and that by the Word of God.” (Romans 10:17)
Move forward in His Grace – Arthur ;)