"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God." ~Matthew 5:9
About 5 or 6 years ago, I heard a sermon in which the speaker said, "There is a difference between a peacemaker and a peacekeeper." Although that's the only part of the message that I remember, those words have stuck with me all this time. I finally took some time the other day to get revelation from the Lord about what this means.
Peacekeeper- One who refrains from or prevents strife (opposition).
Peacemaker- A person who brings about peace.
I'm not one who tries to create or seek out conflict, and if I do oppose something, it has to come with strong emotion, or else I will probably keep silent about it. I don't like to step on toes and I like to make sure everyone is happy and at "peace" with one another. Although I've been called a peacemaker most of my life, I have not been pursuing peace, but have been trying to make sure everyone is happy, even if it doesn't promote growth in them.
Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another. ~Romans 14:19
Real peace edifies others. It is not edifying for problems to go unsolved. Sometimes, we really do have to have those hard conversations with people. We really do have to bring up issues that we think would be better left alone, when in reality those issues are creating more strife when they are hidden away than they would out in the open. I think Jesus wants to fix our picture of peace.
Then Jesus went into the temple of God and drove out all those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves. And He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer, but you have made it a ‘den of thieves'." ~Matthew 21:12-13
Jesus, the One Who preached that the peacemakers will be blessed and called sons of God, went into the temple and made a big scene to stand up for God's house. Not very "nice" or "peaceful". Jesus' loyalty was with His Father, so naturally He would do anything to make sure His house wasn't being defiled. He offended some people in the process, but His Father's house was made a house of prayer (and healing for the blind and lame in verse 14!).
Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kiinds of evil agaiinst you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. ~Matthew 5:11-12
Peacemakers step on toes and don't always seem very nice! But, they will be called sons of God when they are standing up for the Truth God wants them to speak and will see the peace they are making bring forth fruit.
