Matthew 5:1-9 Blessed are the Humble, Meek, Merciful, & Peacemakers
As Jesus was referred to as "The Prince of Peace" even before His birth, I want to explore how I can be more like this desired personality trait. However, rather than focus on the act of feeling peaceful, God has placed it on my heart to write about what it means to act as a peacemaker.
(Isaiah 9:6-7) For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: 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. 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 forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.
Whether bold or shy, we are all called to be peacemakers and to treat each other with kindness and respect. In fact, there are so many scriptures on this subject, that I could not possibly list them all in one blog. I will do my best to narrow it down. Let's start with Christ's Sermon on the Mount.We've probably all heard all or most of what are often referred to as "The Beatitudes" that are part of Jesus' Sermon on The Mount. Here is a small part of it. Note how many of them have to do with having a gentle heart. I used the amplified version because I love the way it explains each trait and type of blessing (all other verses used are KJV). It is worth reading the entire chapter of Matthew and the verses I did not include.
Wouldn't it have been amazing to be at the feet of Jesus as He taught this sermon? I am so very grateful to have the Bible and have access to the wisdom of Jesus and from the disciples who learned by His side.
One of the main themes of Christ was loving one another. Some religions are so steeped in the Old Testament that they still believe in the "eye-for-an-eye" mentality, but I prefer to follow the advice of Jesus. (This has to do with personal persecutions. I am a firm believer in the justice system when people receive a fair trial and, when applicable, are properly punished for their crimes.)
(Matthew 5:38-39) "Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also."
(2 Timothy 2:23-25) But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth.
(Proverbs 20:3) It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling.
How are we called to handle such a person?
(Titus 3:9-11) But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.
Yes, that means it is perfectly acceptable to limit time with or even eject such a person from your life if you have first warned him to quit being so argumentative. We are called to live in peace, not to be doormats or be forced to have people in our lives who are always stirring up dissention. People who always want to criticize and argue are not respecting who you are as a person and are not a genuine friend.
Jesus taught His own disciples that they were to leave the towns of the people who would not accept their teachings. Rather than stay and argue, they were to leave that town and not return. Jesus uses the symbolism of shaking the dust from their feet as if to say they are not to even take the town's negative attitude with them, but leave it behind in the dust.
(Matthew 10:14) "And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet."
Jesus was referred to as "The Prince of Peace," because His ultimate goal is to bring us a life of peace. Peace to our hearts, minds, and lives. He also wants us to be kind, loving, and gracious. I realize I am repeating myself, but I am trying to convey an important quality of Christ's that we should try to imitate. Yet, He also states, that though He was a peaceful man, His ministry was not to bring peace in this world. As you read in the quote at the end of "The Beatitudes," Jesus makes it clear that we will be persecuted for our faith.
(Matthew 10:16-20 & 34-36) “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. But beware of men... But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you."
“Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man's foes shall be they of his own household."
Note that Jesus' advice that we are to be "wise as serpents and harmless as doves." Again, there is nothing wrong with standing up for yourself, and being wise enough how to handle harmful people, but we are to be gentle when we deal with them. The sad part about that scripture is that Jesus even warns us that there may be division among our own family members. But Jesus goes on to say in this same chapter that we are to choose a life of Truth with Him even over our own family, if necessary. Sadly, sometimes distancing ourselves from friends and family that are always antagonistic is a more peaceful solution than continuing to live in strife.
(Matthew 10:37-40) "He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it. He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me."
The beginning of the below verses is essentially saying that, even if we have love in our hearts, if we treat others with disrespect and bad attitudes, we are no better than a noisy hypocrite. We should strive to not just be hearers of the Word, but doers as well.
(1 Corinthians 13:1-7) Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity [love], I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
I want to be a gentle person who treats others with respect. I want to let insults fall of my back like water off a duck. I want to reflect the Light of Christ. I know I will never be perfect, and I will often make mistakes, but it is my goal to be a peacemaker. Not because I am seeking a blessing, but because I want to make my Heavenly Father pleased with my effort. Without Christ I struggle with patience and kind words. But with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, I can see others in a different light and want to treat them as He would.
Christians are to continue to grow in their faith, which also means living a life that reflects the Words of Christ. That is why it is so important to never stop reading the Bible, no matter how many years you have been reading it. You will always be encouraged and reminded of the type of person Christ wants you to be.
(Colossians 3:12-13) Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
Hopefully, this is all making sense. I will end with a few more scriptures.
(Romans 14:19) Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.
(Ephesians 6:4) And, ye [parents], provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
(Romans 12:17-21) Recompense to no man evil for evil... If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath... Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink... Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
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