Peacemakers

Peacemakers

God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.

Matthew 5:9

The Amish are pacifists and conscientious objectors. They avoid all violence, including angry words. They refuse to sue in a court of law, and they do not believe in participating in military service. They do not believe in personal physical violence either. The Amish believe that Jesus called us to be peacemakers, and they follow Jesus’ instruction in Matthew 5:39: “I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also” (KJV). They see the violent approach to solving problems as un-Christian.

The Amish follow the commands of the Bible, and both the Amish and Mennonites believe the New Testament takes priority over the Old. Yes, the Old Testament records numerous instances of warfare, but the Amish believe that Jesus came to show us a different way:

Amish follow a very strict interpretation of “two kingdoms” doctrine. Two Kingdoms doctrine is the belief, held by numerous Christians, that there is a spiritual kingdom with its own set of rules, and a worldly one. The worldly kingdom and its authorities is seen to be instigated by God. Amish respect and follow the rules of the worldly kingdom, so long as they don’t interfere with God’s dictates.

Mandatory military service or using force as a police officer, or indirectly as a government official or agent of the state, is in the Amish view un-Christian and in violation of the rules of the spiritual kingdom.

Can others consider you a peacemaker? You may not hold the same beliefs on pacifism or military service, but do you lean toward being peaceful or do you stir up tension and trouble? Working for peace starts in your own heart. It’s admitting that God is in control, and allowing Him to have ultimate justice in all areas that concern us. When peace is in our hearts, it has a way of filling our homes and our lives, too.

Dear heavenly Father, I bring my thoughts and attitudes to You because I know that my words and actions flow from them. Help me to be a peacemaker today.