Matthew 5:9 NIV
[9] “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”

Who are the peacemakers? Why are they called “children of God”? Who are the children of God? How can they be peacemakers?

Jesus’ simple statement raises questions. It’s no use reading that God is happy with peacemakers if we don’t know who they are and why and how they are to be pacemakers.

There is only one true “peacemaker” in all of Scripture and, outside of His work to make peace, any affort to bring peace between alienated humans is futile. Without a change of heart, reconciliation between people at war is temporary and only skin deep.

Humanity is at war with God and has been since the moment Adam chose himself over his Creator. This alienation from God is the root of all the forms enmity between humans. Until our rebellion against God is removed out of our hearts, we will always be in conflict with one another. Why…because our hearts are tainted with self-centredess which clashes with everyone else’s self-centredness.

God stepped into time with a risky plan to reconcile Adam’s alienated race with Himself. Through Jesus, He dealt with the root of sin that robbed humans of peace with God, and brought together not only humans and Himself but the two alienated religious groups that split the world, Jews and Gentiles.

Ephesians 2:11-13 NIV
[11] “Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (which is done in the body by human hands)— [12] remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. [13] But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.”

“Done and dusted!” God and mankind reconciled forever through the death of His Son! Mission one accomplished!

Ephesians 2:14-18 NIV
[14] “For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, [15] by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, [16] and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. [17] He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. [18] For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.”

“Done and dusted!” Jew and Gentile reconciled! Not only that, but all religious distinctions obliterated by lifting the two groups onto a new level…a new species called “children of God”. Jew and Gentile labels no longer apply.

Mission two complete!

However, with God’s intervention comes a new distinction… believers in Jesus versus unbelievers. The separation between these two groups is far greater and more sinister than the rift between two religious factions because it stretches beyond the grave, two different and eternal destinies depending on one fact. Did you avail yourself of the reconciliation God made possible through faith in Jesus? God’s intervention is a matter of life and death.

Since Jesus is the only true “peacemaker”, His children are under obligation to intervene between God and His alienated humans through His message of peace. Then, and then only, can the “children of God” be real peacemakers.

So, peacemakers are those who, through Jesus, are, at peace with God and with all fellow believers around the world regardless of colour, clan, or country. They are now a new species, called “children of God”. Their role is to spread the message of peace through Jesus, to bring about reconciliation with God and with fellow believers.

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called, “children of God”.