Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
"Peace-breakers" are plentiful. They:
1. Refuse to discuss problems.
2. Refuse to forgive.
3. Refuse to honestly confess their faults.
4. Constantly judge others without judging themselves.
We can’t make peace with peace-breakers, but we should make every effort not to mimic their behavior.
Peacemakers are rare:
1. They do whatever they can to make peace. They listen, try to understand the other person's perspective, and think the best of others.
Romans 12:18; Romans 14:19
2. They don’t walk away from unresolved conflict when others are willing to continue discussions. They know they can’t please God unless they seek peace with others.
Matthew 5:23-24
3. They care about other people’s desires and feelings. They don’t “make all the rules” in the relationship. They listen to others and make genuine efforts to improve the relationship.
Philippians 2:3-4
God doesn’t expect us to be best friends with everyone, but He does expect us to forgive people and show them kindness and consideration.
Blessed are the peacemakers!
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I encourage you to pursue peace, but also to understand the biblical principle in this 1-minute devotion: Peace is Not Always the Highest Good.
Some good passages to ponder today:
Romans 12:18: "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone."
Matthew 5:23-24: "Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift."
Philippians 2:3-4: "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others."
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Great post. I really needed to hear this. Thanks so much.
ReplyDeleteHow are you not to judge, when it is the only way you can decide who is deserving to fellowship with. How do you not form an opinion
ReplyDeleteHi unknown,
DeleteThis devotion doesn't tell us not to judge. It tells us that we shouldn't judge others when we are not first judging ourselves.
I know of a personal situation where one woman kept coming to another woman complaining about petty things. But the woman complaining was known for doing blatantly rude things herself. That's the kind of judgement Scripture tells us is wrong and ungodly--seeing sin in everyone except ourselves.
In the situation I describe above, one woman tried her best to bring peace in the relationship even when the other woman made harsh judgements against her. In the end, she had to distance herself from the complaining woman, but she continued to treat her kindly. She was a peacemaker and the other woman was a peace-breaker, so they will never be close friends, but because of the peacemaker, they can live at peace with each other.