Peacemakers advocate harmony instead of hostility, agreement rather than anger, and tranquility in place of turmoil. A peacemaker will seek for the well-being of others…even if that means loving their enemies, and praying for those who persecute them. As it says in James 3:18, ” Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.”
Tag: theology
Matthew 5:8 ” Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.”
To be pure in heart means that every motive, desire, and thought is conformed around what the Lord would want of us. It means that our hearts would be free of the pollution and guilt of sin, and our hands clean. And in that bright and radiant state of holiness…we would then see His beloved face and live forever in His presence.
Matthew 5:6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”
Our bodies need food and water on a very regular basis, we can’t eat once a year and live. So it is with our relationship with the Lord…we need to spend time in the Bible daily, being filled with His Word. That Holy nourishment is every bit as important to our well-being as food and water. That’s why He extends the invitation to “Come all that are hungry and thirsty, for you will be filled.”
Matthew 5:5 “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.”
When I first hear the word meek, I think of a spineless, unassuming person, that’s too cowardly to do anything. But then I remember a chance meeting I had with a former CIA agent. He wasn’t that big of a man, he didn’t say but a few words, his demeanor was very unpretentious…but he commanded the entire room by what he didn’t do. He knew who he was and who he represented… and that self-confidence was almost palpable. Jesus was the same way…He didn’t have to prove anything. His real strength came from knowing who He was. And that should be true of us also, knowing who we are through Christ Jesus, and aware that in our weakness we are made strong in Him.
Matthew 5:4 ” Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”
Everyday we miss the mark and sin…but the big question is…how does it make you feel when you do sin? If you are unaffected and apathetic when you sin, too soon the sin will become very commonplace, and lead you down the wrong path. But if when you sin you are truly sorrowful, and ask the Lord for forgiveness… He will encourage you to get, brush yourself off, and try again.
Matthew 5:3 ” Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.”
In our mortal state, we are helpless, destitute beggars…spiritually bankrupt and lost. But if we acknowledge our dire situation, and accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, He will become very present and involved in our life. Suddenly, the Kingdom of God will dwell within our hearts, and we will be taken from beggar to joint heir with Jesus.
Acts 6:14 “For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.”
We have been set free from the heavy yoke of the ceremonial observances of the Mosaic Law…so by not being subject to the Law any longer, it means we will not be judged by the Law and it’s impossible tenets either. For by the blood of Jesus, we have been set free from sin and the Law, and declared righteous by His unearned and unmerited favor… and that wonderful grace of His abounds for all.
John 21:17 “The third time He said to him, ‘ Simon son of John, do you love Me?’ “
During the Last Supper, Jesus had foretold Simon Peter that he would betray Him…not just once, or twice, but three times. So in this interchange at the end of the Gospel of John, we see the risen Jesus asking Simon Peter not once, or twice, but three times if he loved Him. Each time He asks this question, we see Jesus restoring Simon Peter back into relationship not only with Himself, but as one of the leaders among the disciples, and ultimately in the early Church.
Romans 6: 6-7 ” For we know that our old self was crucified with Him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin – because anyone who has died has been freed from sin.”
Dead bodies can’t sin…dead bodies can’t be held in bondage by a sinful nature anymore…dead bodies can’t react to the worldly things around them…dead bodies can’t sin. Put off your “old self” and be set free, no longer a slave to sin… now a willing bond servant to righteousness.
Colossians 3:22 ” Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord.”
You may just think you’re a bondservant at work, but back in Biblical times, even slaves held positions of great responsibility…think of Joseph in Egypt. But the main focus of this verse has to do more with character, sincerity, and honesty in the workplace. What you do, or don’t do, when the Boss isn’t there, speaks volumes to your co-workers around you. Anyone can suck-up to the Boss when need be… but only someone with true integrity will work even harder when no one is watching.
Safetypinlove 