Serving The Prime Peacemaker

Serving The Prime Peacemaker

The world is a conflict-strewn mess, as are its countries, towns, businesses, and every human enterprise. The screaming and repeating of vile accusations seem to have become normal. More people died in the wars of the twentieth century than in all wars of all history combined, and the twenty-first century does not seem to be slowing down. We experience conflict in our town squares, our churches, and our families.

“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I
give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful” 
(John 14:27) 

 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God” 
 (Matthew 5:9).

“It is enough for the disciple that he become like his teacher, and the 
slave like his master” 

(Matthew 10:25a).

TAKE THE INITIATIVE

First of all, we need to learn to take the initiative.  

*"For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the
ungodly”* 
(Romans 5:6).

*"For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man
someone would dare even to die."*
(Romans 5:7)


Peacemaking will never happen if we wait for people to ask us for help.

EMBRACE THE SACRIFICE

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet 
sinners, Christ died for us” 
(Romans 5:8).

 “Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share
 on behalf of His body, which is the church, in filling up what is lacking in
 Christ's afflictions” 
 (Colossians 1:24).  

“And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that
tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; 
and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint…” 
(Rom. 5:3-5).

RELY ON TRANSFORMATION

 “Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved 
 from the wrath of God through Him” 
 (Romans 5:9).  

 “…And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured 
 out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us” 
 (Romans 5:5).

WORK FOR RECONCILATION TO GOD ABOVE ALL

“For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life”
(Romans 5:10).

Sin is so damaging to human beings that we don’t even understand that we are born hostile to God. God is not against us. Apart from Christ we are against him.

 “Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens 
 the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me” 
 (Revelation 3:20). 

In peacemaking reconciliation to God is always first both in time and
importance.

LET JOY BE YOUR ENGINE

 “And not only this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
 through whom we have now received the reconciliation” 
 (Romans 5:11).

“Or what woman, if she has ten silver coins and loses one coin, does not light
a lamp and sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? When she 
has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, 'Rejoice
with me, for I have found the coin which I had lost!' In the same way, I tell
you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who
repents” (Luke 15:8-10). 

 “…Who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, 
 and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” 
 (Hebrews 12:2).

“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our
Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith
into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God”
(Romans 5:1-2).

These are the things we must do as servants of the Prime Peacemaker:

1. Take the initiative.

2. Embrace the sacrifice.

3. Rely on transformation.

4. Work for reconciliation to God above all.

5. Let joy be our engine.