Matthew 5:9 reads, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” A “peacemaker” is obviously “one who makes peace between those who are in conflict.” The peacemaker may actually be one that is in the conflict and yet he takes steps to resolve the conflict. The believer is exhorted in Romans 12:18, “If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.” Every effort should to be taken to have a peaceful relationship with all men and if our efforts result in peace, WE WILL BE BLESSED!

At other times, we may not be one of the parties involved in the conflict, yet if we see two or more people fighting with each other, we should do all that we can (as led of the Lord) to “make peace” between them. We have a beautiful example of this in the book of Philippians. The assembly at Philippi was in a very healthy spiritual state and brought much joy to the heart of the apostle Paul. But there was one problem that existed there that is highlighted in 4:2-3, “I urge Euodia and I urge Syntche to live in harmony in the Lord. Indeed, true companion, I ask you also to help these women who have shared my struggle in the cause of the gospel” (NASB). These two sisters, who had once labored in the gospel with the apostle, had had a falling out. For whatever reason they weren’t getting along and Paul admonished them to “live in harmony in the Lord.” Paul was trying to be a “peacemaker.” It’s beautiful to see that in the first three chapters, Paul speaks over and over again of the need there is for living in harmony with each other. In 1:27 he says, “Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in ONE SPIRIT, with ONE MIND STRIVING TOGETHER for the faith of the gospel.” In 2:1-2 he states, “Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the SAME MIND, maintaining the SAME LOVE, UNITED IN SPIRIT, intent on ONE PURPOSE.” With these words Paul was seeking to be a true “peacemaker.” Perhaps, as this letter was read to the assembly at Philippi, these words were used to convict Euodia and Syntche, and thus prepare their hearts for Paul’s exhortation in 4:2 to “live in harmony in the Lord.” We also saw in 4:3 that Paul encouraged his “true companion” (which may have been Epaphroditus) to be a “peacemaker” by helping those two sisters resolve the conflict there was between them. And surely Paul is indirectly appealing to all of us to be “peacemakers.”

The latter half of our verse says, “For they shall be called sons of God.” It should be noted that we do NOT become sons of God by being peacemakers. We become sons of God by believing in the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior. Galatians 3:26 declares, “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.” But when we are peacemakers, we manifest to others that we are sons of God and they may even acknowledge that we are sons of God when they see this godly trait in us. But even if they don’t acknowledge this, the day is coming when God will declare that we are His sons. (233.1) (DO)