Verse of the Day 11/13

Verse of the Day 11/13

Matthew 5:9 "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God." English Standard Version (ESV)

Our Pastor Bob spoke on this verse as the subject of his sermon last Sunday and the thought of what being a "peacemaker" has stayed on my mind. As we look at the world around us, coming off of the recent elections, the political battles and wranglings, doing "whatever it takes" to win; where to we see any peacemakers?

I think that a big part of being a peacemaker is reason and objective thought, but also listening to the other side with understanding. Not an easy thing to do. But being a peacemaker does not mean that you have to compromise and give up what you believe in.

Pastor James MacDonald writes, "It should actually be impossible to live as a Christian, to stand up for what's right, to approach each day with wholehearted conviction, and not ruffle some feathers along the way. "Woe to you, when all people speak well of you" (Luke 6:26), Jesus said to people who were willing to say anything to get others to like them. Because when He said, "Blessed are the peacemakers" (Matthew 5:9), He was not saying, "Blessed are the compromisers."

The thought of reason brought me to Isaiah 1 where the prophet is addressing God's people who were going through the motions, in verse 18 he calls them to "reason together"; not compromise; and draws attention to what they really need to do.

Isaiah 1:16-20 English Standard Version (ESV)

16 Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean;
remove the evil of your deeds from before my eyes;
cease to do evil,
17 learn to do good;
seek justice,
correct oppression;
bring justice to the fatherless,
plead the widow's cause.
18 "Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord:
though your sins are like scarlet,
they shall be as white as snow;
though they are red like crimson,
they shall become like wool.
19 If you are willing and obedient,
you shall eat the good of the land;
20 but if you refuse and rebel,
you shall be eaten by the sword;
for the mouth of the Lord has spoken."

If we are to be peacemakers, it starts with cleaning up our own act, by doing good, seeking justice, correcting oppression and reaching out to the needy, through God's grace we can begin to bring, to see peace. If we don't our society will be "eaten" up.

Blessings,

Mike

Matthew 5:2-12 The Message (MSG)

You're Blessed
5 1-2 When Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a hillside. Those who were apprenticed to him, the committed, climbed with him. Arriving at a quiet place, he sat down and taught his climbing companions. This is what he said:

3 "You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.

4 "You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.

5 "You're blessed when you're content with just who you are—no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought.

6 "You're blessed when you've worked up a good appetite for God. He's food and drink in the best meal you'll ever eat.

7 "You're blessed when you care. At the moment of being 'care-full,' you find yourselves cared for.

8 "You're blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.

9 "You're blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That's when you discover who you really are, and your place in God's family.

10 "You're blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God's kingdom.

11-12 "Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though they don't like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.

 

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