Are you a peacemaker?

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God - Matthew 5:9

 

The opposite of making peace is adding fuel to the fire of conflict.  Do you do this?

 

Maybe you justify an ungraceful comment by saying that you are just standing up for yourself.  Or maybe that person needs to be taught a lesson.  Or maybe you didn't think and you just reacted.  Either way, if you find yourself regularly at the center of a heated conflict, trying to justify yourself to others over and over again, then you need to consider whether you really have the Spirit of God in you.

 

The peacemaker is willing to suffer injustice at the hands of even their enemy.  Sure, it's good to follow the law and call in the police if necessary, but it's not up to you to ensure justice is done.  Trust God who will ensure that everyone gets what is coming to them, except for those for whom Christ has paid their part on his cross.

 

"If Jesus can suffer the ultimate indignity for a sinner like me, then what is it if I suffer a little in this life too.  Instead, I will pray for this person and show them what Jesus would have done."  That should be your thinking, your attitude.  After all, it is your attitude that leads to the peacemaker response, or the argumentative response...

 

A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger - Proverbs 15:1

And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will - 2 Timothy 2:23-26