I almost feel like I have to apologize for again posting on this subject, but, in many ways, it goes to the heart of the very ministry God has called me to (and to Easter as well).  At the same time, it sadly goes to the "heart" of other "ministries" that are based on a false or misleading premise. Folks, again, " blessed are the peacemakers" is NOT about law enforcement -- unless... (keep reading), and "blessed are the 'peacekeepers'" is NOT even in the Bible! Two years ago, I was both applauded and cursed for writing a short article on this subject for my Chaplain's Corner segment in Law Officer Magazine: take a few moments to read, " Blessed are the Peacemakers?"  Take note of the question mark (?) at the end as it is there for the same reason I included it here.  With that, let's dig into what God has to say on this this subject as revealed in His wholly (and Holy) inerrant Word, the Bible.

The biblical exegesis of Matthew 5:9 (" Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God") from Jesus' teaching in His " Sermon on the Mount" has NO nexus to what we do in law enforcement! On the contrary, the Greek word  eirenopoios -- translated "peacemaker" or more correctly, peace-worker (and not "peacekeeper") -- is used in only one other place in the New Testament, in a slightly different form. Colossians 1:20 says, "For it was the Father's good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross." (added emphasis mine).

Jesus laid down His life on the cross to make peace (reconciliation) between God and sinners, and when we share that message of peace that is found only in a right relationship with Christ (what is means to be  born again in Him -- John 3:1-21) with others, we are only then the  peacemakers He is speaking of. This message is NOT about what we do in law enforcement unless it just happens to be Christian (born again) officers who are carrying out God's command so share the gospel with others as part of our Great Commission "call for service" (a command mind you, not a mere "suggestion").

God does in fact delight in those who reconcile others to Himself.  Those who share the gospel are called " beautiful" in Isaiah 52:7. God " reconciled us to Himself" through Christ -- the " Prince of Peace" ( Isaiah 9:6) and gave us the " ministry of reconciliation" ( 2 Corinthians 5:18). Those who give of themselves as Jesus did in order that others may know God are called " blessed," but even this "good deed" (or any other) alone does not save us. Understand that there is no real peace apart from a genuine, life-saving/life-changing personal  relationship (not "religion") with God ( Romans 5:1). What may masquerade as worldly peace is merely a temporary lull in the chaos of this world ( John 14:27). True peace is found only in a right relationship with God. "' There is no peace,' says the LORD, 'for the wicked'" (the unsaved --  Isaiah 48:22).

Only the " children of God" (those who have been first born again in Him -- "Christians" as God defines it) can bring the peace of knowing Him to others. A person must have a real relationship with God in Christ before he or she can help someone else know God and His peace. Those who witness for Christ, share their faith and biblically serve others in the name of Christ are the "peacemakers" (ambassadors for peace) Jesus refers to in this verse. Those who bring the wonderful message of God's saving peace to the world are His " peacemakers," and Jesus calls them the " children of God."

Folks, as we remember our Savior's "passion" (torture and crucifixion) and celebrate His Resurrection (what we call Easter), it is vital that we understand what John 3:16 is truly about:    "For  God so loved  the world that he gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not  perish but have eternal life." This is the peace Jesus refers to in Matthew 5:9, with Jesus being the ultimate "peacemaker." 

Likewise, Easter also reminds us of the true meaning of "Greater love has no one than this,  that someone lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:13). This is yet another verse that is falsely attributed to police officers and others who are killed in the line of duty.  On the contrary, this verse is about what we celebrate during Holy Week and Resurrection Sunday (Easter): that Jesus Himself -- the true "peacemaker" -- laid down His life so that all who "repent and believe" (Mark 1:15) in Him for their salvation can be saved (it would also apply to others who are martyred for their faith).

Again, a great many who serve in our God-ordained ( Romans 13:1-4) profession of law enforcement hold to a potentially deadly (the eternal kind) false belief that their service and "good works" as officers will save them. That passages like Matthew 5:9 and John 15:13 are a "free pass" into heaven (or a "get out of hell" card). Yet God Himself is clear -- none are good ( Romans 3:1-12) outside of being first born again in Christ ( John 3:1-21). I deal with this issue via the " Good Person Test" that I share in every one of these messages (scroll down).  

(1) J esus' first recorded words in His earthly ministry are: " Repent and believe in the Good News " ( Mark 1:15 ).  To repent  is a "180" -- a complete, radical change of mind and heart as it relates our sin. To believe  as He intends it here is to cry out to God for your salvation and wholeheartedly  surrender in faith to Christ in the same way we have "faith" that our body armor will do its job against the rounds it is intended to stop, that our brakes will work when running code, or that a solider's parachute will open when it is supposed to (we stake our very lives on it)! And the "Good News" that Jesus refers to here is of course His gospel and plan of salvation.

(2) Again, understand that you can't "earn" or otherwise "badge" your way into heaven (or out of hell) by your worldly "goodness" or by being a "good cop." Without first embracing Christ and his redeeming blood He shed for you on the cross, you can NEVER be "good" enough to make it into heaven or escape the righteous and just consequences for our crimes (sin) in a very real place called hell. Still don't believe that? Take the "Good Person Test" and see how you do!  

(3) This same concept of " believe" (the saving kind) is further revealed in John 3:1-21 where Jesus says, "... you must be born again." Note our Lord's emphasis on the word " must" (not "may" or "should"): this is ultimately the life-saving/life-changing personal relationship with Christ that I stress here every week (see What does it mean to be a born again Christian?). 

So now then, with this "target" in place, see:

(a)  How can I be saved?   

and

(b)  Cops and Salvation (a powerful, short message from Police Major  Travis Yates of Ten-Four Ministries and Law Officer Magazine ).