Blessed Are The Peacemakers
March 19, 2015 | by: Dale Thiele | 0 Comments
Posted in: Pastoral Encouragement | Tags: forgiveness, Beatitudes, Sermon on the Mount, Peacemaking, reconciliation, conflict
Note: This is part 7 of an 8 part series reflecting on the Beatitudes of the Sermon on the Mount. These values of the Kingdom of God are also values of our church. How do our values shape who we are and what we do?
Matthew 5:9 "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”
Peacemaking is a high calling for the Christian. The promise of this Beatitude identifies peacemakers as being like God. Being called sons of God draws attention to character qualities that we share with the Father (i.e. “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree…”). Peacemaking is a work of God (see the example of Christ making peace in Ephesians 2:14-17). Therefore, those who are peacemakers are like God.
Peacemaking is not simple, though, and we all-too-easily fall off to one side or the other of peace. The first pitfall is what Ken Sande (see Resolving Everyday Conflict) calls peacefaking. Peacefaking is conflict avoidance. We fake peace by denying that there ever was conflict or ignoring the conflict that divides or running away from the conflict. Relationships are lost. Conflicts are never addressed and resolved. But many take these routes thinking it is the path of peace because the conflict doesn’t “flare up.” This is not peace, though. Jesus doesn’t commend peacefaking.
The other pitfall that often ensnares us is what Ken Sande calls peacebreaking. Out of self-preservation and pride we attack in the midst of conflict. “Peacebreaking happens when we care less about our relationship than we do about winning” (Sande, p. 41). Perhaps some of us assume we are striving for peace (Heb. 12:14) by forcing others to agree with our point of view. Peacemaking, however, following the example of Christ, is about resolving conflict in God-honoring ways and reconciling two parties.
Ken Sande provides an excellent guide for the peacemaking process. He calls it the Four Gs of peacemaking (summarized on page 43 of his book, unpacked in the rest of the book):
G1: Glorify God. How can I focus on God in this situation? In the middle of a conflict we often become self-consumed, thinking only of our desires. True peacemaking must be centered on glorifying God.
G2: Get the log out of your eye. How can I own my part of this conflict? As we become self-consumed in the middle of conflict, we quickly overlook our faults and focus solely on the offending party. In every conflict, though, there are always two offending parties. Will you humble yourself and own your part?
G3: Gently restore. How can I help others own their contribution to this conflict? This is where we normally start in conflict resolution. How does that normally go? We can never be gentle in our restoration of another that we are in direct conflict with unless we go through the first two steps.
G4: Go and be reconciled. How can I give forgiveness and help reach a reasonable solution? Peace is not achieved without giving forgiveness. Our desire to hold a grudge and continue to “hold something over the head” of another is rooted in our lack of trust in God and his grace. Forgiveness is the choice to not seek repayment for the damage done and allow for a full restoration of relationship.
May we be true peacemakers and our church be marked by this character of God!
