Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Matthew 5:9
Election time in ‘democratic’ nations often incites violence. But while the larger part of society restrains itself from physical assault, many find it difficult to resist assaulting their political adversaries online. Internally divided through the left/right political paradigm, the polarised citizenry view one another as foes. With fresh doses of venom spat in their eyes daily by the mainstream media, the people continue to fight with each other while the beast system builds up all around them. Step by step, the same agenda is carried forward regardless of who wins the election.
The faithful Christian wisely avoids being drawn into this Hegelian power-play. But if we aren’t careful, the partisan spirit which rules over the children of disobedience can gain a mastery over us via other disputes.
Grievances do arise among those professing godliness, and it is our duty to seek peace and the eternal interests of our brethren. We must ever bear in mind that we ourselves once waged war against God. But God did not reciprocate the contempt we showed. Neither did His Son harbour bitter feelings against us for the disrespect we showed to His Father. ‘While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us’ (Romans 5:8).
The Son of God is our peacemaker, and those who are conformed to His image will do likewise. That is why it is the peacemakers who ‘shall be called the children of God’. Not only are such blessed themselves, but they are the preserving salt of the congregation. Without these messengers of heaven, war and strife would prevail and the church of Christ would vanish from the face of the earth. The peacemaker exemplifies that love which ‘seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil’ (1 Corinthians 13:5). Risking their own relationships and peace of mind, the peacemaker seeks to bring reconciliation between disaffected parties.
The peacemaker does not see his enemy in flesh and blood. It is the general of hell they keep in the crosshairs. They are not ignorant of his machiavellian strategy to ‘divide and conquer’. We must always bear in mind that we are the ambassadors of God first and foremost. If wrong has been done, it is cowardly to refuse to acknowledge it. But making God’s will our priority, we are to rise above the partisan spirit that governs worldly conflict. We are to seek the peace that Christ first offered to us.
Christopher Sparks