Are you a Keeper or a Maker?
If you think of our nations and world right now, you may like me, be on your knees praying for peace! We often hear the frequently expressed desire for ‘world peace’ in speeches and on stages. This is definitely more than a cliche but a deep desire of so very many. As believers, we seem to have an innate sense of our calling to extend the Kingdom of God while we live our lives on earth as Jesus’ disciples, before we get to experience it fully in heaven! This calling includes living in peace and bringing peace to those around us.
Indeed, well before Jesus was born, Isaiah (9:6-7) prophesied:
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be upon his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.”
Our longing for peace can be on so many levels: for our inner world - mind, heart, spirit, if we are troubled in some way; with regard to our interpersonal relationships - in our families or with colleagues, Christian sisters/brothers or friends; within our communities; in our nations, and globally. My mind moves automatically to the current political spheres in our nations regarding civil engagements, relations across divided groups and the conduct of our leaders and citizens.
This is not a new issue, civil and political discord, nor a new desire - for peace in these areas! Paul addressed the dissonance between Jews and Gentiles, desiring they be reconciled through Christ-
Ephesians 2:14-18 “For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by the one Spirit.”
Ephesians 4: 1-6 “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit…”
I now want to draw our attention to Jesus’ teaching in a sermon on a hillside, often called the Beatitudes. Here, Jesus describes and identifies characteristics of a Christian who is seeking life as a disciple. In this discourse, Jesus is outlining the expectations for a believer within the Kingdom of God.
Each of the Beatitudes begins with the word ‘Blessed,’ which can be translated as full and joyful well-being. Let’s focus on one verse in particular:
Matthew 5:9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”
In The Message version, the verse reads:
“You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family.”
Peacemakers, in this context, are those who promote God’s peace. This peace is taken from the Hebrew word shalom, which can be defined as total or complete well being—both personally and communally. In this statement, Jesus is asserting that those who put their faith in Him and actively pursue peacemaking will receive the eternal reward of being called children of God, as they reflect the Father's character of peace and unity. As a reward, Don Carson puts it like this: “The peacemakers are called children of God or sons of God, because of their eternal reward in following Jesus.”
So, are we called to keep the peace or make peace? We should not confuse the two concepts! “That’s a drastic error, even though it’s only a slight change in terms. Peacemakers strive to create peace and attempt to reconcile things and people that are at odds with one another. Peacekeepers, on the other hand, strive to keep peace at all costs.” (Stephen Arterburn)
In Proverbs 10:10 (NLT), Solomon says:
“People who wink at wrong cause trouble, but a bold reproof promotes peace.” In other words, peacekeepers, by not acknowledging wrongdoings in an effort to maintain peace, are actually ‘winking’ at them (wrongdoings). In fact, peacekeepers and peacemakers can actually be considered complete opposites of one another!
In our various national histories, people (we/Christians) have sadly been complicit in many things that have led to long lasting strife, hurt and disunity, whether knowingly or unwittingly - for example, racial or tribal segregation. Many Christians have in fact been peacekeepers in this way. They wanted to maintain things as they were without discord or change; they wanted to keep the peace as it was at the time—racism disguised as peace. Civil rights activists had to sometimes disturb the peace in an effort to make room for real peace.
This can also happen within the walls of our churches. Peacekeepers can stifle the opportunity we have within the church to challenge the status quo and pursue freedom as Christ intended it.
If we can influence our church environments to be places where we are authentic, accepting, loving and honouring then we can provide places where we share our thoughts, concerns, opinions and doubts with each other, without the need for ‘wearing masks’ or maintaining a false sense of peace.
Here are three ways we can make peace instead of keep peace:
1. HONOUR & ACCEPTANCE - speak your mind and share your passions. Create a space where others can do the same. “Free people free people.”
2. AUTHENTICITY - share discomfort, pain and hurt. Cultivate vulnerability especially in your mentor/mentee relationships and small groups.
3. COURAGE - engage with others who are different from yourself in race, age, religion, etc. The aim of any communication is to understand rather than trying to persuade others to agree with you all the time. Be a bridge builder. Take risks to heal traditional divides to show our communities that we have the love of Christ. (Note: This is not the same as condoning sinful behaviour.)
Further ways we can be challenged:
1. Trust in the promises of the Bible despite your situation.
2. Pursue Shalom in and for your community, city, and the world by serving others. “What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” - Philippians 4:9
3. Choose confession, repentance, forgiveness, and lament.
John Wycliffe said: “We are not merely called peaceable men - it is hard enough to keep peace but much more difficult to bring peace where there is strife.”
QUESTIONS:
If we truly adopt the value of being a peacemaker and live it out how would this impact our lives and the people around us?
Where can you bring peace this week? Home? Workplace?
Review the six challenges above and discuss at home or in your small group.
