July 20 Daily Devotional

Bible Reading

Devotional

Do you know what it means to be a peacemaker? Peacemaking is something that should characterize every disciple of Christ. It is what we need to pursue in our homes, marriages, church life and in the workplace. We cannot be peacemakers unless the love of God for sinners fills our hearts. People can gather at summits, write treaties, move from one church to another, and make their way from one professional counsellor to the next, but they will never find true happiness and blessedness if they do not humble themselves and have a mind focused on Jesus Christ; His love for sinners was so great that He died for them.

A peacemaker is an agent of reconciliation, harmony, unity and peace. Since the heart of a peacemaker is ruled by love for Christ, such a person builds relationships on trust and truth and puts the well-being of others first. You do not become a peacemaker by attending a seminar, however helpful that may be, but by turning to Jesus Christ for strength every day. He needs to rule and direct our lives. That means putting aside antagonism, conflict and any form of hostility that finds fertile soil in an unregenerate heart.

Even though Christians are to be peacemakers, this does not mean they never experience strife or conflict. Times of conflict may arise when people are convicted by the truth of the gospel. A peacemaker may need to oppose those in the church, home and workplace who are troublemakers – people who serve themselves and do not have the service of the Lord at heart. Rather than sow discord, Christ’s followers will do whatever they can to cultivate peace. “If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.”

To be a peacemaker our hearts must be ruled by the peace of God. That peace has been achieved through conflict: Christ fought a battle to obtain peace and reconciliation. So we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1-2). A peacemaker’s aim is to seek reconciliation where enmity occurs, to be an instrument in the Lord’s hands to help establish and maintain peace. Pray that you may always be a peacemaker. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” (Matthew 5:9)