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Blessed are the Peacemakers
Blessed Are The Peacemakers
Matthew 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God.
Unfortunately there are times in our lives when the peace that exists between ourselves and others is disrupted with strife, contention, and division. When an estrangement takes place because of strife, there is often a desire on the part of many to try and make peace, which is indeed a noble desire. Even though the desire for being a peacemaker exists in the hearts of many, quite often they do not know how to go about making the peace.
Proverbs 26:17 He who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own Is like one who tales a dog by the ears.
If you do not know how to make peace between two parties that are estranged, you may find yourself adding to the strife rather than making peace. It can quickly become as the proverb says, “like taking a dog by the ears.” In other words, you better look out or you may get pulled into the middle of the fight and end up getting bitten.
Romans 14:19 Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.
Since we should be pursuing the things which make for peace, it is vitally important that we know how to pursue it. I believe there are six steps that the two estranged parties must go through for there to truly be peace between them. (1.) A desire for peace must exist in the hearts of both the estranged parties, (2.) Humility, (3.) Meaningful, respectful communication, (4.) A willingness to face the truth, (5.) A willingness to change where you are wrong, and (6.) a willingness to forgive. Taking two or three of these steps is not enough. All six of these steps must be taken for there to be true peace.
A Desire For Peace In Both Parties
Psalm 120:7 I [am for] peace; But when I speak, they [are] for war.
Even though the peacemaker may want peace, unless both of the estranged parties want peace, you are wasting your time in trying to make peace between them. True peace can not be forced it must be desired before it can be pursued. Therefore the peacemaker must talk with both of the estranged parties separately and confirm that they are both truly desiring to have peace made between them.
Psalm 133:1 Behold, how good and how pleasant [it is] For brethren to dwell together in unity!
If peace is not initially desired by both of the estranged parties, that does not mean that you should give up on your efforts to make peace. Instead you should work on trying to create the desire for peace in their hearts. This can be done by trying to help them see how good and how pleasant it is to dwell together in unity and peace
