Are You a Peacemaker or a Peacekeeper?

The Greatest Sermon Ever Preached Part VII
Reflections on the Sermon on the Mount
Matthew 5-7

(Commentary by Guy Glass and Scott Hescht)

Matthew 5:9 "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”

Scott: Ken Sande, in his book The Peacemaker, suggests that there is a difference between peacekeeping and peacemaking. (By the way, his ministry is an excellent resource for conflict resolution [www.peacemaker.net]). While peacekeeping may consist in overlooking minor sins, which we are called to do, it could also be characterized by avoidance or passivity for fear of conflict. Peacemaking on the other hand, often involves one party approaching the offender or offended in love in order to make peace. The Apostle Paul practiced peacemaking in his letter to Philemon encouraging him to receive his runaway servant Onesimus not only in forgiveness, but also as a brother rather than a slave. This compels us to reflect on God’s brand of forgiveness; that which extends beyond mercy and offers grace to the offending party.

O.S. Hawkins suggested that “in broken relationships our general tendency is to identify ourselves as the offended party each time”… “We have been programmed since childhood to point the finger at someone else.”[1] Why is this so? My sincere belief is that, like so many other sins, it is rooted in nothing more than self absorbed, self righteous pride. The peacemaker though, is not interested in being right, but rather what is right. People are a priority and so the peacemaker seeks to right the wrong for the sake of the other party involved. Paul said, “Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others (Philippians 2:3-4).

Jesus says later in this sermon concerning conflict, “So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift” (Matthew 5.23-24). There is more to be said about this matter later, however, this is peacemaking in action. Turning the other cheek is overlooking the offense itself, but peacemaking calls us to reconciliation with our brother or sister.

Jesus pronounced blessing upon those whose desire is to live peaceably with all (Romans 12:18). By this they prove that they truly are called sons of God.

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[1] O.S. Hawkins, The Art of Connecting (GuideStone Financial Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention, 2004), 114.