“Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.” Matthew 5:9

There is a War Going On

From where come wars and fights among you? Come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? James 4:1

People are at war with one another. Every now and then we’ll have a truce. But there is no peace, religious, economic, racial, social, political, family or personal peace.

We are at war with ourselves. We are at war within ourselves. People are not at peace. And that’s the reason they cannot be at peace with anyone else. Many folks are ‘a fight, going somewhere to happen; an argument going somewhere to happen.’ This occurs because they are in turmoil themselves. The New Testament book of James says that the war on the outside is because of the war on the inside.

We are at war with God. “There is no peace, says my God, to the wicked.” Isaiah 57:21 Until we are right with God in this world, we are going to be a troublemaker, and not a peacemaker.

What is Peace?

Peace is not appeasement. Appeasement never brings peace. We are not honor-bound to get along with everybody. There is something disconcerting and wrong with the person who can get along with everybody.

The Bible says, “If it be possible, as much as lies within you, live peaceably with all men.” Romans 12:18, which means that it’s unfortunately not always possible.

If Jesus Christ was so beautifully tactful and diplomatic, how did He manage to get Himself crucified? God’s own son did not get along with everyone, and everyone did not get along with Jesus Christ. Peace is not appeasement, and peace is not simply truce making.

Peace is a right relationship.

Peace is a right relationship with God that leads to right relationship with self. This guides us in a right relationship with other people. That’s what peace is. It is a sense of well being. Literally, peace is the result and fruit of righteousness.

“Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.” Psalm 85:10

The Enemy of Peace

It follows day, that if peace is linked with righteousness, then war, lack of peace, is rooted in sin. “There is no peace, saith the LORD, unto the wicked.” Isaiah 48:22

“Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.” Matthew 10:34

Jesus is saying, “I did not come to bring some sort of a false peace and amalgamation of good and evil. I came with a sword to put a line of demarcation between truth and error, between light and dark, between sin and righteousness.”

When God’s standard of righteousness is set, there will always be a division. Without righteousness, there can be no godly peace. Peace can never come where sin remains. God will never make a peace treaty with sin, never!

Acquiring Peace

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Jeremiah 29:11

Peace Has Been Purchased by the Son

Having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself. Colossians 1:19–20 At the cross wickedness was not appeased; wickedness was confronted, and peace was accomplished.

The Spirit Reminds us of the Peace Jesus Gives

“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27 The fruit of the Spirit is peace. Galatians 5:22 It is the Holy Spirit that brings this to our hearts and minds. He is the One who gives us this peace in our hearts, that tells us we are at peace with God.

The Agents of Peace

“All things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ…” We’ve been saved; we’ve been given peace. And then He says, “…and has given to us the ministry of reconciliation.” 2 Corinthians 5:18

Do we have peace, can we be Peacemakers? Corrie Ten Boom said, “If you look around, you’ll be distressed. If you look within, you’ll be depressed. But if you look to Jesus, you’ll be at rest. That is where peace comes from.