The Sons of God as Peacemakers

Since the fall of creation (Gen 3), the sons of Adam have been fighting with one another (Gen 4). The inherited sin from Adam (Rom 5:12), coupled with each man’s sin nature (Eph 2:3), has produced sins innumerable (Gen 6:5; Rom 3:23). Sin is lawlessness (1 Jn 3:4); and we know sin by the Law of God given through Moses to the Israelites at Mount Sinai (1446 B.C.). Sin has positioned humanity at enmity with God and one another (Rom 1:18–32; 5:9–10).

There has always been those who believe they can secure peace apart from God. Most recently, the failed League of Nations and the obviously ineffective United Nations, both have consumed monumental portions of wealth with no peace. Two wars rage, today, in the Ukraine and Israel (Mt 24:6; Mk 13:7). With no lasting peace; and no honest recognition of the true problem, the futility continues (Ecclesiastes).

Our God is the God of peace (Rom 15:22; 16:20; 2 Cor 13:11). In simple submission to God’s only begotten Son (Jn 3:16; Acts 4:12), peace with God is received. Again, when sin hardens the heart of man (Ex 9:34; Heb 3:13), he will not subject himself the Lordship and rule of Christ (Ps 24; Mt 28:18; 1 Tim 6:15). As the federal Head of His holy nation of royal priests (1 Pet 2:9), Christ has secured peace with Yahweh on behalf of His elect, redeemed people (Rom 5:1). He is the Mediator of the new covenant in His own blood (Mt 26:28; Heb 9:15; 12:24), shed for the forgiveness of our sin (Eph 1:7; Heb 9:22). He Himself is our peace with God and with other people (Eph 2:14). Thus, the title “Prince of peace” is bestowed on the Jesus Christ, alone (Is 9:6).

Peace with God comes to a person when the Father and the Son send the Holy Spirit to that person (Jn 14:26; 15:26). It is the indwelling Holy Spirit who produces peace as a spiritual fruit within the soul of the one He has caused to be born again (Jn 3:1–8; 14:17; Rom 8:9, 11; Gal 5:22–23; 1 Pet 1:3). The Person and work of the Holy Spirit is the catalyst for identifying the children of God (Rom 8:15, 23; 1 Jn 3:1, 10); and it is what makes the sons of God to be peacemakers.

When one has peace on his or her mind; peace within his heart; then, he is positioned to be at peace with all men (Rom 12:18; Heb 12:14). This is the peace that passes all understanding because it is exactly that which the natural man does not have nor can achieve (Phil 4:7). Men will cave to bullies in order to appease them. They will conciliate under unrighteous conditions; but neither of these is true peace.

Peace is void of any animosities or provocations. The peacemaker is not tempted to disrupt peace with greed, envy, jealousy, or covetousness. He shuns pride because pride provokes others to wrath. His boast is always in the Person and work of Jesus Christ (1 Cor 1:31; Gal 6:14; Heb 3:6). The Bible teaches us that many a conflict is started by the tongue (Jas 3). Thus, peacemakers are careful with their words. They are swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to wrath (Jas 1:19).

People in conflict are offended by the words or actions of another. Sinners are ever crossing one another, in one negative way or another. Just as the peacemaker has been forgiven much by God, so he forgives those who offend him (Lk 7:47).

As the sons of God boast in Jesus Christ, they ascribe all glory to God. Thus, we first see how one must be pure in heart (Mt 5:8). Then, upon the receipt of sanctification (2 Thess 2:13; 1 Pet 1:2), the peacemaker sees God with the eyes of faith (Eph 1:18). This makes him poor in Spirit (Mt 5:3), meaning he knows who he is apart from Christ (Gen 6:5; Jn 15:5). He mourns over his sin (Mt 5:4), while freely confessing he is a wretched sinner (Mt 3:6; Mk 1:5; 1 Jn 1:9). It makes him meek (Mt 5:5). All these characteristics remove the tension with others, produced by human pride. The peacemaker walks humbly with God (Mic 6:8).

Instead of competing with his neighbor (Eccl 4:4), this man aspires to bless those around him. The peacemaker speaks of righteousness, justice, and reconciliation with God (2 Cor 5:18–20). He desires for everyone he meets, the grace for them to repent and believe the good news of God having mercy and being gracious to sinners (Acts 5:31; 11:18; Rom 9:15–16).

Instead of competing to gain more control of the world’s resources, the peacemaker freely gives what he has to help even his enemies because he has freely received what he has from God (Mt 10:8). There is no notion of scarcity consciousness, as it is taught in every Economics class, everywhere. He believes in the will and ability of God to supply everything and equip the saints in His gracious providence.

The peacemaker knows that God is the Creator of all things (Gen 1–2; Col 1:15). He knows that the earth belongs to the Lord and everything in it (Ps 24:1). Therefore, what he has is an entrusted stewardship from the Lord, who supplies him with whatever is needed for life and for ministry (2 Cor 8–9). The best treasure the peacemaker stewards is the Gospel of Jesus Christ (1 Cor 9:17). All the promises, the blessings, and the benefits are in Christ Jesus (2 Cor 1:20; Eph 1:3). Thus, proclaiming Christ is the greatest act of love.

We are not naïve regarding the Christian’s effort to share Christ with others. Instead of hearing what the preacher of grace has to say, the ungrateful unbeliever is quickly led to mock, scoff, deride, persecute, and even kill the messenger of salvation (Mt 5:10–12; Jn 16:2).

The prince of darkness, great stirrer of conflict, will not stand by idle, as the sons of God mediate peace among men. He will do all he can to disrupt the peace and add trouble to the peacemakers. If the Spirit of God spurs the children of God on to more love and good works (Heb 10:24), then the devil spurs his children to more hatred and evil deeds.

Blessed are the peacemakers; for they shall be called children of God (Mt 5:9), and that is who we are and what we do as Christians. Knowing the tragic plight of our neighbors (Rom 3:10–12; 6:6, 23), we give to them what has been given to us.

We note again, there is no scarcity of resources in the economy of our Triune God. Our God gives and gives again (Jas 1:17); and as His children, it is our privilege to be generous to all, in the hope of some being saved from the wrath of God against sinners (Rom 5:9; 1 Thess 1:10). Our lives are an investment in the kingdom of God.

It is the kindness of God that leads one to repentance (Rom 2:4). Therefore, let us be kind, generous, humble, and filled with the godly desire for peace to His people on earth.

May God truly bless our thoughts, words, and actions to represent Him well, as did Jesus, who paid a great price of self-sacrifice, but who also secured true peace for His people that will last forever.

David Norczyk

Spokane Valley, Washington

June 26, 2024

Matthew 5:9