"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God."

-Matthew 5:9, ESV

Most everybody would say that they want peace in their own lives, but what do they really mean?   Do they simply want and expect people to do everything their way?  That's not a recipe for peace, that's a fantasy - something that never happens.

In reality, people who are really willing to further peace are in short supply these days.  Times are turbulent.  Making peaceful relationships with others requires sensitivity, and also vulnerability on the part of the peace maker.  It can be a dangerous business.  Peace makers often get hurt or suffer while trying to make peace.  We can see this clearly from Jesus' life.

Really, our ability to make peace with others flows out of the peace that God has made with us in Christ.  That's why peacemakers will be called children of God.  We simply reflect what God has done in our hearts, conforming us to the image of Jesus Christ (Romans 8:29, ESV).

Remember, Christ Himself is our peace:  "For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father."(Ephesians 2:14-18, NKJV)  The peace that we have with others is based first on the peace that we have with God - made possible through Jesus Christ and the Cross.

What can you rely on?  What is important?  It is exactly this: "we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."(Romans 5:1b, ESV)  When you are in Christ, you have peace -- His peace.  Now, go, and share that peace with others.

Blessings in Christ,