God himself is the Omnipotent Peacemaker. He said, “I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things” (Isaiah 45:7). But in this Beatitude Jesus is speaking of “children of God” who are Peacemakers. The title “Peacemaker” implies that one has assumed the role of Mediation between differing or striving parties, between those who are at odds with one another. This seems to be the understanding of James, who said, “For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. --- And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace” (James 3:15-18). There is certainly such a role for the Children of God to take as Peacemakers, for it is taught in the Scriptures – see Matthew 18:15-17. The wars within and among ourselves need Peacemaking (James 4:1).

Some have erroneously taken this Beatitude to teach:

1. That there is to be “Peace on Earth and good will toward men” because this was announced at the birth of Christ (Luke 2:14). But Jesus Christ himself was the Prince of Peace who was on earth at that time, and he said, “Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword” (Matt 10:34).

2. That Peace Organizations such as the United Nations are designed to maintain Peace between Nations. But Jesus himself said “Ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars -- For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom - see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet -- All these are the beginning of sorrows” (Matt. 24:6-8).

3. That the Winning of Souls is under consideration – the false idea that man Preaching or Witnessing to lost sinners about the grace of God is the means by which a soul is saved from hell. Christ is the only Peacemaker between his Father and the elect. God has children which are born of God – but NO grandchildren!

The “Peace” of Peacemaking has at least Three (3) Aspects or Perspectives:

I. Peace with God – Being Reconciled Unto God by Christ - see Romans 5:1, 6 -10

A. Man made himself “The Enemy of God” via Sin - see Romans 5:12

1. The Wicked – Non-elect – Unregenerate – Know not the “Way of Peace” – i.e. they know not Christ - see Luke 1:79, Romans 3:17, Isaiah 57:21, 59:8

B. God Reconciled His Elect Unto Himself – Making Peace with them – see Col. 1:19-22, Eph 2:13-17, II Cor. 5:17-6:1

1. Peace With God was accomplished by Christ on the Cross for God’s elect people

II. The Peace of God or Peace From God – To Them Who Receive Not the Grace of God in Vain – see John 14:27, Col 3:12-17

Note: Paul’s Epistles begins with “Peace from God and –“ – see Rom 1:7, I Cor 1:3, Gal 1:3, Eph 1:2, Phil 1:2 (Good Greeting)

A. Many have Peace with God – But Not the Peace of God

1. They Never Get Established or Rooted in Truth - see Col. 2:6-10, 1:21-22,

Eph. 3:14-19 They are Blown to and fro – see 4:14

2. Constantly fretting, worrying, moving - Unstable as Sand – see Matt 7:24-27 - OR as “untempered mortar” – see Ezek 13:10-14

B. The Peace of God comes when We Rest in the Finished work Of Christ -- see Mat 11:28-30, Phil 4:6-7

1. The Peace of God comes when We are Reconciled Unto God IN Time through Obedience to His Word - see II Cor. 5:20 – 6:1

2. Without Truth one can only be at Peace with what he Knows or Does.

Illus. Paul did not have the Peace of God –“Hard for thee to kick ---“ – Acts 9:5

3. Paul thought he served God – But he was Ignorant - see I Tim. 1:12-13

C. The Grace of God Teaches Us to be Reconciled Unto God – see Titus 2:11-15, Eph. 2:8-10 “We are His workmanship –“.

III. Following Peace and Being at Peace with One Another

** Herein lies the primary application of Our Peacemaking

** Foundation for Personal Discipleship and Church Discipline

A. Told to “Follow After Peace” - see II Tim 2:22, Heb 12:14

1. Experience of Being in The Kingdom - see Rom. 14:17-19

B. Told to Live IN Peace - see II Cor. 13:11

C. Told to Be at Peace With One Another - see I Thess 5:13

D. Told to Seek Peace and Ensue It - see I Peter 3:10-12

E. Righteousness Sown in Peace by Peacemakers - see James 3:18

F. It is NOT always possible – Even Paul had Disputations

1. With Peter - see Gal. 2:11-14 2. With Barnabas - see Acts 15:36-41

IV. Scriptures Speak of Discipline (a form of Peacemaking) When:

A. When a Brother/Sister slips or falls in fault - see Gal. 6:1-2

B. Immorality in the Church - see I Cor. 5:1-5

C. Division Contrary to Sound Doctrine - see Romans 16:17

D. Disorderly Conduct - see II Thess. 3:11-15

E. There is Heretics among us - see Titus 3:10-11

F. Personal Offences in the Church - see Matt 18:15-17

1. Reconciliation Between Believers Requires Twofold Process

2. Matthew 18:15-17 teaches the Principles of Reconciliation

3. Peace must be Established by Reconciliation or the Exclusion of one !!

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.