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Matthew 5:9

Christ teaches many promises in his Sermon on the Mount. I have often misunderstood and misquoted one, and it has really stuck with me for the last week or so.

In Matthew 5:9, Jesus states:
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will  be called children of God."
We are to be peacemakers, and up until last week I would have told you that Christ tells us to be peacekeepers. There is quite a difference between keeping the peace and making peace, right?

I believe this distinction is especially relevant today in our culture more than ever, especially with the differences that divide us. Christ-followers should be involved in calming the heated tensions in our communities rather than being stuck in neutral hoping it will all work out for the best on its own.

We are called to a higher standard, not one that calls us to always be right or one that calls us to ignorance about real issues around us, but rather to one that calls us to cling to the truth found in Christ and to point the world to the peace that is offered through him alone.

I'm not sure about you, but I don't think peacemaker would be an accurate title on my business card. So, how do we move forward with this teaching? Are we holding any grudges? Addicted to complaining about anything and everything? Too busy and stressed to care? The first step towards making peace starts with us. We need to spend time in prayer asking our Father to search us and to reveal the things that are keeping us from being the peacemakers he knows we can be.

This is a daily struggle for me, and I am sure many others have similar struggles. If I can pray for you, please let me know.

In Christ,


Jon
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