Blessed Are The Peacemakers-Part Three

This is Part Three of the Peacemakers Podcast that Bobby and I did on being a Peacemaker. In this podcast we talk about being a peacemaker while standing for facts, standing for truth, standing for biblical principles. Being a peacemaker is not being a wimp, is not being a man pleaser, is not being an ear tickler that makes people feel good; Being a peacemaker is standing for truth in a way that attempts to get others to see the truth, to win the hearts of people to truth, to ultimately lead people to the truth of the need of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. To get people reconciled to God.

Jesus Was a Peacemaker

Isaiah 9:6 ESV

For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon^[a] his shoulder,
    and his name shall be called^[b]
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Jesus Turned Over Tables
Many want to justify their anger as they stand for truth. Their proof text is Jesus turning over tables. In three years of ministry Jesus turned over tables two times and it was specifically with what was taking place at the temple.

Jesus Spoke Direct Words
Yes, Jesus spoke some direct words, especially to religious leaders and their actions and behavior. To the lost who were in the midst of sin, he showed them mercy as he called them to repent.

Jesus and the Sword
Some will use Matthew 10:34 as a proof text for the hateful, venomous words and behavior. But if you look at the context, the sword was not literal and the context was that the preaching of the Gospel may lead to division. The sword was the Word of God.

Matthew 10:34-36

³²“Therefore everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven. ³³But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven.

³⁴“Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. ³⁵For I came to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; ³⁶and a man’s enemies will be the members of his household.

³⁷“He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. ³⁸And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. ³⁹He who has found his life will lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake will find it.

Christian in Sin
When a fellow Christian is in sin we are not to hate on them. mock them, but we ae called to restore them with a spirit of gentleness.

Galatians 6:1

Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted.

Summary
Sadly, in our culture today many individuals much rather speak truth (much is not truth) in a mean spirited, hateful, antagonistic way, mocking, insinuating, accusing, assuming, claiming to know the heart and motives of individuals. There is no desire to be a peacemaker, no desire to try and reconcile individuals to God.