Bible Text: Matthew 5:9Series: CHRIST’S SERMON ON THE MOUNT (PART 7) | WEEKLY BIBLE STUDY (06/12/18; 13/12/18)

 

Topical Study:        : CHRIST’S SERMON ON THE MOUNT (PART 7)

                                     

 

INTRODUCTION: We are still continuing in our study of the Beatitudes, showing who the truly blessed are in divine perspective.  And it needs be stressed that the really blessed are those who are so declared by the Lord.  So far, we have considered: The Poor In Spirit, They That Mourn, The Meek, They That Hunger and Thirst After Righteousness, The Merciful and The Pure In Heart, dealing with Who They Are and Their Blessedness.  Today, we shall move forward to consider The Peace-Makers and Their Blessedness

 

 

1)   The Peace – Makers: To get at what Jesus means by peace-makers (Matt. 5:9), let’s first consider the meaning of peace. The word “Peace” is the English equivalent of the Greek word “Eirene” (pronounced i-ray-nay) which means quietness, rest, peace; in contrast to strife.  It means absence or end of strife (cp. Jos 10:1,2).  It is a state of mind that is untroubled and undisturbed (cp. Isa. 26:3; Matt. 11:28, 29).

 

Peace is a divine attribute.  God is known as the God of Peace (Phil. 4:9; 1Thess. 5:23); the Lord Jesus Christ is known as the Prince of Peace (Isa. 9:6) and the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Peace (Gal. 5:22).

 

Peace-makers are those who, having received God’s peace in their hearts through reconciliation, possess a peaceable disposition (cp. Rm. 5:1; Eph. 2:13-18).  These are those who so love, desire and delight in peace that they not only maintain a peaceful heart, but go all out to seek to be at peace with all men (cp Rm. 12:18; Heb. 12:14).

 

Such men of peaceful disposition endeavour, as much as it is in them, to preserve the peace that it be not broken, and to recover it when broken; they themselves hearken to peace proposals and also readily make them to others (Mat. 5:9).  Peace-makers also include repairers of breaches between striving /warring parties; reconciling those at variance (cp. Isa. 58:12).

 

From the foregoing, it is clear that they are not true peace-makers who pretend to be making peace for others  whereas they themselves lack peace, being at variance with God (Isa. 48:22).  Such people should first ensure that they possess the peace they want to give, by getting reconciled to God (cp. 2 Cor. 5:19, 20).  Those who have strives and squabbles with their spouses, relatives,

 

 

neighbour, etc and yet pretend to be making peace for other people are by no means included in the peace-makers that our Lord Jesus is referring to, as no one can give what he does not have (cp. Matt. 7:3-5; 1 Cor. 4:7).

 

 

Note, those who sacrifice clear and righteous standard of God in an attempt to win peace are false (cp. Matt. 10:33-39).  You cannot be seeking the peace of God while you are disobeying Him. It is also an aberration to seek peace and friendship at the hands of Satan and those who arrogantly and impenitently set themselves against God (cp. Isa. 48:22).

 

One who is willingly involved in sponsoring the IGMC of the hour and other evangelistic projects we have, is in a way engaging in peace-making between men and their God, knowing what is on ground with the Churches of the present day.

 

Peace-making sometimes attracts reproaches and ridicule.  But that should not discourage any body as there are great blessings attached.

 

2)   Their Blessedness (Matt. 5:9).  Real peace makers are blessed (Matt. 5:9).  For one thing, they are enjoying the peace and quietness of soul which God gives.  For another, they are like their Master who came into the world to slay all enmity and to proclaim peace on earth (cp. Lk. 2:10-14; Eph. 2:14-17).

 

Besides, peace is a product of faith in God and righteousness which make one as bold as a lion (cp. Isa. 26:3,4; 32:17; Prov. 28:1) .  And this is blessing indeed.

 

Moreover, they shall be called the children of God. Those who possess this heart of great disposition of true peace resemble God in that light and as such are called the children of God (Phil. 4:9; 1 Thess. 5:23; Matt. 5:9).

 

Even on earth here, men regard and respect them as children and servants of God (Isa. 61:4-6).

 

As declared children of God, they are God’s heirs together with Christ, including the inheritance of eternal bliss with God (cp. Rm. 8:17).

 

Fellowship Songs HSCF (148 & 114)