Does it ever feel like the world is full of conflict?

You don’t have to look very far to see it.

• Nations fight wars against each other.
• Political groups argue and divide.
• Communities fracture.
• Families fall apart.
• Friends stop speaking to each other.

Sometimes the conflict even lives inside our own hearts. Anger, resentment, jealousy, and pride stir up trouble within us and spill over into our relationships with others.

Peace can feel very hard to find.

Yet Jesus says the peacemakers are blessed.

What is a peacemaker?

A peacemaker is not simply someone who avoids conflict. Ignoring problems or pretending everything is fine does not create real peace. Sometimes peace requires difficult conversations, repentance, forgiveness, and healing.

Real peace is deeper than simply the absence of fighting. Real peace means justice and relationships are restored.

But there is an even deeper conflict we must talk about. The greatest conflict in the world is not between nations or neighbors.

The greatest conflict is between humanity and God.

Because of sin, the Bible says we were once enemies of God. Our sin separated us from Him and placed us under His judgment. Left to ourselves, that conflict could never be resolved. So God Himself made peace.

He sent His Son, Jesus Christ.

On the cross, Jesus took the punishment for our sins and removed the barrier between us and God. Through His sacrifice, justice was complete because Jesus paid the penalty for our sin and forgiveness is given, removing our sin. Therefore, we are reconciled to our heavenly Father.

As the Apostle Paul writes,

“Since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” – Romans 5:1

Jesus is the ultimate peacemaker. And through faith in Him, we are brought into God’s family. That is why Jesus says the peacemakers will be called sons of God.

When God’s peace fills our hearts, it begins to shape the way we live.

• We seek reconciliation instead of revenge.
• We pursue forgiveness instead of bitterness.
• We work toward healing instead of division.
• We spread the Good News of Jesus Christ so others can know peace with God.

Sometimes that is not easy. People may reject our efforts. Conflict does not always disappear overnight. But Christians continue to pursue peace because we know the peace that Christ has given to us.

And we also know that one day peace will fully reign.

When Jesus returns, all conflict, sin, and division will be gone forever. The peace Christ won on the cross will fill the new heaven and the new earth.

Until that day, God calls us to live as people of His peace.

That is a wonderful blessing.

Let’s pray…

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus Christ, to make peace between us and You through the forgiveness of sins. Fill our hearts with Your peace and help us to live as peacemakers in our homes, communities, and churches. Remind us of the day when Your perfect peace will fill all creation and help us to spread Your peace by sharing the Gospel.

Amen.

As part of your devotion time, I encourage you to also pray for at least some of the following:

• Your family
• Your local church
• Your pastor
• Some of your fellow church members
• The people on your B.L.E.S.S. list
• Your country and her leaders
• Your community

After praying for these people, you may want to finish your devotion time with the Lord’s Prayer…

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. They will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever and every. Amen.