Peacemakers
“Blessed are the peacemakers,
For they shall be called sons of God.”
Not the peace-lovers... no, no - Because peace-lovers are often compromisers but rather peacemakers. Oh, there is so much turmoil in the world today, isn’t there? But where does the peacemaker start? With the president and the government? No, not at all. it starts with mom and dad, yes - brother and sister - that is where it starts!
We shall be called the sons of God if we are peacemakers. Jesus says we shall be known by our fruit. If you go to Matthew 7:16, the Lord says very clearly;
“You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thorn bushes or figs from thistles?”
Not at all. How do we bear the fruit of peace?
It is quite simple - by spending time each day with the Prince of Peace. Jesus said:
“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
John 14:27
When we take our eyes off Jesus, you and I are filled with selfishness, greed, lust, jealousy, hatred and suspicion - this robs us of peace. Today, let's go out to the highways of life and bring peace to the troubled souls of people. Do you remember that beautiful poem that is attributed to St Francis of Assisi? He says:
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy;O Divine Master,
Grant that I may not so much seek
To be consoled as to console;
To be understood as to understand;
To be loved as to love.For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Go out today and be a peace-maker in this world.
God bless you and goodbye.