BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS
Matthew 5:1 And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: 2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, 8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
The first item listed in the Mystery of Godliness (1 Timothy 3:16) is “God was manifest in the flesh.” And here we are introduced to the actions of his Holy Humanity. For he has eyes to see the multitudes. He has legs and energy to go up into a mountain. He has posture, for he finds a place to be set. And he has a mouth, which he opens. Then he has the identity of God’s prophet, for he teaches them of God. And as God’s High Priest he mediates to them God’s identity within themselves.
How special and precious it is to have the Last Adam walk among God’s living garden, weeding out the tares and giving names to all those new creatures in regenerating birth! Matthew 15:13 But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. Revelation 2:17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.
And just what are these ‘attitudes’ which we are to ‘be’ except those characteristics of this God-man which are to be fully formed within us? Colossians 1:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
For in the opening of his mouth, he opened his heart. Luke 6:45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh. And therefore we see that he is the only, truly Blessed man! Psalm 1:1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. 3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
And in the prophecy of Isaiah he is identified as the Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: (He was both the child born of the virgin, and the Son given by God the Father), and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
Mankind was caught in the dangerous sea of transgression, unable to control his fate, or direct his course. But the Master of the sea, stood and commanded, “Peace, Be still!” And everything changed. And this he did at his cross. Bless His holy name! Ephesians 2:15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; 16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: 17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.
For that word, “peacemakers” is made up of two Greek words. The first is translated, “bring forth” in Matthew 3:8. And the other is seen as “quietness” in Acts 24:2. Therefore a peacemaker is one who “brings forth quietness.” And so He does!
Yet Israel refused it. Isaiah 30:15 For thus saith the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not.
Like all mere religionists who profess that which they do not possess, national Israel sought only that peace of having an absence of outward tribulation! But the Lord grants inner, spiritual peace to all his children despite their outward turmoil! John 14:27 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 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
For those tribulations are valuable in the destruction of the fleshly mind. Romans 5:3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
For when did our Lord state, “the world seeth me no more?” It was only after his natural man was crucified. And as has already been stated above, it was at this cross that peace was made. (See Ephesians 2:15)
Therefore we are instructed in 1 Peter 5:10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. Luke 14:27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.
“Dying with Jesus by death reckoned mine;
Living with Jesus a new life divine;
Looking to Jesus till glory doth shine;
Moment by moment, O Lord I am thine.”
Daniel W. Whittle 1840-1901
And the Prince of Peace is THE only way into the Father’s presence. John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. And the Father dwells in the holy, quietness of his glory! Habakkuk 2:20 But the LORD is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him. Zechariah 2:13 Be silent, O all flesh, before the LORD: for he is raised up out of his holy habitation.
Before being approached by the Lord the man in the tombs, being filled with demons, was “crying and cutting himself with stones.” But upon having the God of peace deal with him, he came to be quietly “sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind.” (Mark 5:15) For the God of peace alone can bring the peace of God! Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
And as ‘peace’ is listed among the fruit of the Spirit, to have his peace is to have his Spirit. And therefore those possessing this spiritual fruit of peace are to be called the children of God. Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. John 14:17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
The Apostle Paul closed his second letter to the Corinthians by identifying all who lived in peace to be included with all the saints. 2 Corinthians 13:11 Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you. 12 Greet one another with an holy kiss. 13 All the saints salute you. 14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.
For there is no bond of spiritual unity without that peace. Ephesians 4:3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Hebrews 12:14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
2 Timothy 2:22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
As has rightly been stated, “It is one thing to have the boat in the water, but a far different matter to have water in the boat!” We must abide in this world filled with trials and tribulations. – Our boat is in that water. But we are instructed to “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” Philippians 4:6 That is “Be anxious about nothing.” For this spiritual, inner peace, (as has already been stated), which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Jesus Christ.
Therefore we should make every effort to maintain our Spirit-provided, inner peace irregardless of our outer circumstances. For it was purchased for us at an awful price by Christ on His cross! It is inevitable that hardships and trials will come. But we do not have to cast off our confidence in the Lord to bring us through them. He has brought us through every one of them in the past, and he is the same loving and powerful Lord as we face each new one.
1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
1 Peter 5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. gb
