Children of God
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” - Matthew 5:9
The news is not good. Television, newspaper, radio and internet, national and international, the news is full of stories about wars and rumors of wars, abuses and killings, conflict and strife. Violence and enmity are all too common, and peace is a very rare commodity.
Christ, however, blesses the peacemakers. In fact, theirs is perhaps the greatest blessing in the Beatitudes so far. Inheritance of the kingdom of heaven is amazing. Being comforted, being filled, and being shown mercy are all wonderful. And seeing God may be the greatest experience possible for a human. But in this Beatitude, the peacemakers are actually identified with God, because to make peace is to be like God, the consummate peacemaker.
One of the painful realities of life in a fallen world is the presence of conflict and strife. But God brought about the ultimate reconciliation, reconciling spiritually dead, rebellious sinners into right relationship with God the Father. And He invites us to be a part of that process, too. As the Apostle Paul says, “we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God (2 Corinthians 5:20).” God uses His people to do His work in reconciling sinners to Himself. We proclaim the word of God (Romans 10:14). And we are to be an example by our conduct of the change God has worked in us (1 Peter 2:12).
God also brings about peace between those who would otherwise be at odds. In Galatians 3:28 we read, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” If we are all united to Christ, we cannot be in enmity with one another. As Paul further tells us, “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all (Romans 12:18).”
God is a God of peace1. But the peace He brings is not a superficial pretending to be nice. It is genuine peace. Once we are right with God, we have nothing to be angry or fearful or rebellious about. We can be at peace with Him and His world. And how can I be angry at another when I know that he, too, is a sinner like me, but God is making Him whole. So with God’s power, by His grace, we participate in His agenda of bringing about peace, and the world sees Him in us. And we are called children of God.
1cf. Romans 15:33, Philippians 4:9, 1 Thessalonians 5:23, Hebrews 13:20.