Instruments Of His Peace

Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.

Romans 14:19 (NIV)

God promises that those who make peace will be blessed: “Blessed are the peacemakers” (Matthew 5:9, NIV). But to make peace, a person must be at peace. A person who is filled with turmoil will inject that into relationships and situations. A person who is filled with peace will diffuse peace into relationships and situations. To be a peacemaker, you have to be peaceful.

In Matthew 5, Jesus blesses those who are peacemakers in his Kingdom. In Kingdom peacemaking, the disciple takes the initiative. The disciple lays aside pride, risks rejection or ridicule. In other words, peacemaking is not passive. For example, if a person with the authority to do so ordered you to go carry his load one mile, then going with him or her one mile would avoid conflict. But that is not the same as peace. Don’t be satisfied with keeping things on an even keel. Go further.

In order to carry someone’s load a second mile, peace has to be in you. It is a peace that has grown out of meekness. A strong, settled, contented person, anchored to eternity’s realities, has the courage and the boldness to be outrageous in making peace. “The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever” (Isaiah 32:17, NIV 1984).

Peace comes from the inside and spreads to those around you. Make peace. Create it. Bring peace out of chaos and disorder. Be like your Father. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God” (Matthew 5:9, NIV 1984). Radical, outrageous peacemakers are known as sons of God. People who observe them can’t help but notice the likeness.

Peace can be costly. It can cost your pride. It can cost your reputation. It cost Jesus his life. But the promise is that peacemakers will live in a state of blessedness. Those who live in peace, will live at peace.

Father, show me where I am to be your peacemaker, and give me the grace to pay the price.

Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love.

Francis Of Assisi(1181–1226), Italian friar and founder of the Franciscan order