Blessed are the peacemakers

Dear Christian,

Are you a peacemaker? 

• Or are you a pot-stirrer?

Are you a reconciler? 

• Or are you participating in partisan judgmentalism?

Are you accepting others as God in Christ accepted you?

• Or are you alienating and ostracizing people because they think differently than you?

I ask these questions on purpose to challenge you. I want us as Christians to realize the exhortation and rebuke of Scripture regarding judgmentalism, prejudice, division, dissension, gossip, slander, negativity, arrogance and pride.

In this day and age it seems that we are willing to break fellowship with people over politics, sports, social media and any number of other contemporary issues meanwhile Jesus told us that we would be blessed if we were peacemakers. Paul also tells us that Christians have been given the ministry of reconciliation. Further, Scripture reminds us that we are to be in the world and yet not operate like the world. 

So are your words filled with both grace and truth?

• Are your interactions online and in-person helping people to know God and His love and grace? 

• Are your daily interactions online and in-person sharing the gospel and helping people to come into the church and the kingdom of God?

• Are your daily words judging people or helping people?

• Are your daily words alienating people or inviting people to Jesus? 

Peacemaking is not easy. Peace is never made with the absence of truth, but neither is it possible without grace. 

So please, go against the flow, be like Jesus (not like the world) , don’t keep heaping judgments and harsh criticisms upon people. Don’t be a part of the shame culture of this world. Confess any sin of worldliness and dissension/division. Be gracious, loving and kind. Let your words point people to Jesus and the righteousness that is available in Him. 

Dear Christian, please, be a peacemaker.

And receive the blessings God has prepared for you.

Grace and peace!