[Widget_Twitter id=”1″]
Welcome to week eight of my series on The Beatitudes.
The Sermon on the Mount teachings are a demonstration of what we should be living as Christ followers. Jesus set the tone early on in His ministry regarding what He was about and what it meant to be His disciple and have a Kingdom mindset. These teachings are the foundation for what Jesus modeled and would be doing for the next three years of His earthly ministry, and what He longs for us His followers to do as well.
The Beatitudes are the good news of the Gospel of the Kingdom that Jesus preached for the here and now and also for the Kingdom to come. I look forward to diving in deeper to each one of the 8 Beatitudes in the weeks to come.
Tweet This
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God. (Matthew 5:9 NIV)
This verse reminds me of a line from the movie Miss Congeniality when Sandra Bullock’s character has to answer a question for the panel. The question all the contestants had to answer was “What is the one most important thing our society needs?” All the other contestants said “World Peace,” but not Sandra’s character, she speaks the plain and simple truth as she sees it. However, once realizes that she is not winning any points with the judges, or the audience, and in fact has kind of put them off, she adds … “And World Peace!” Hahaha
Peace according to the Kingdom of God and peace according to our worldly standards are two very different things. In the natural, we think peace means the absence of conflict. However, it is much more than that.
Maybe you’ve seen the bumper sticker or heard the phrase:
No Jesus – No Peace … Know Jesus – Know Peace!
Peace according to the Kingdom, and the peace Jesus was talking about here has more to do with each persons over all well-being and state of mind.
“The biblical concept of peace is larger than just a passive picture of the absence of fighting, wars, or even internal or external strife. It rests heavily on the Hebrew root salom, which means “to be complete” or “to be sound.” The verb conveys both a dynamic and a static meaning “to be complete or whole” or “to live well. The noun had many nuances, but can be grouped into four categories:
-
As wholeness of life or body (i.e., health);
-
As right relationship or harmony between two parties or people, often established by a covenant
-
As prosperity, success, or fulfillment
-
As victory over one’s enemies or absence of war. “[1]
In both the Old Testament and New Testament, we read about conflict, fighting, wars, and persecution. If peace meant the absence of conflict, then how do we reconcile all we read in the Bible? I’ve heard it said that peace is not the absence of conflict, but it is the presence of justice. Scripture is clear, justice is not ours, it is God’s, (Ecc. 3:13; Heb. 10:30) but we do live in a fallen world.
Pastor John Oscar says it this way:
Peace is not the refusal to fight or to resist evil or oppression when necessary. Because we live in a fallen world sometimes peace can only happen as a result of a conflict first.[2]
God sent Jesus His only begotten son to earth to not only give us life, (John 3:16) and but life abundantly, (John 10:10) and to bring us peace (john 14:27).
Our reconciling “Peace” is Jesus! He has made Jew and non-Jew one in Christ. By dying as our sacrifice, he has broken down every wall of prejudice that separated us and has now made us equal through our union with Christ (Ephesians 2:14 The Passion Translation).
Jesus loved the Father and was sent to do His work here on earth. He came to set us free and show God’s great love for us.
Pastor Greg Johnson puts it this way:
Jesus loved the Father and loved others as Himself. Jesus ministered to the people at their point of need. Christ followers live in peace in the midst of a world of conflict. Christ followers love God and others. Christ followers minister to people at their point of need. Christ followers continue the ministry of Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit. They are blessed. They are the children of God.[3]
In the Old Testament, we can read the promise of who Jesus is for the world. He is even called the Prince of Peace.
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the greatness of his government and peace
there will be no end. (Isaiah 9:6-7a NIV)
In this beatitude, Jesus is telling us, that as God’s children, peace is to be a part of our DNA. It is the kind of peace that surpasses all understanding. It is the peace we have when we rest in the confidence assurance that God has got us, even in the midst of life’s storms.
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7 ESV)
God’s promise to us, is that He would send the Holy Spirit to be with us, to guide us, lead us into all truth (John 16:13) and to comfort us (Acts 9:31; 2 Cor 1:4). Let’s look at John 14:27 in a few different Bible translations:
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid (John 14:27 NIV).
I’m leaving you well and whole. That’s my parting gift to you. Peace. I don’t leave you the way you’re used to being left—feeling abandoned, bereft. So don’t be upset. Don’t be distraught (John 14:27 The Message).
“I leave the gift of peace with you—my peace. Not the kind of fragile peace given by the world, but my perfect peace. Don’t yield to fear or be troubled in your hearts—instead, be courageous…” (John 14:27 The Passion Translation).
I love looking at the same verse in different translation because it brings a fulness to the Scripture. When we are told that Jesus is the Prince of Peace in Isaiah, and then here in John, He is giving us His Peace! His peace will make us whole, changed, and different. His peace is perfect. His peace is a gift to us and is not like the world’s peace. Don’t allow life’s circumstances or the chaos in the world to cause you fear, discouragement, or abandoned. Apart from Jesus there is no peace. Instead know Jesus and you will Know His Peace!
Let your hearts fall under the rule of the Anointed’s peace (the peace you were called to as one body), and be thankful (Colossians 3:15 The Voice).
Or as the Passion Translation puts it: Let your heart be always guided by His peace!
[1] https://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionaries/bakers-evangelical-dictionary/peace.html
[2] https://www.sermoncentral.com/sermons/peacemaker-john-oscar-sermon-on-jesus-226449?page=2
[3] https://www.sermoncentral.com/sermons/the-peacemakers-greg-johnson-sermon-on-sermon-on-the-mount-116849?page=2
Welcome to the: I’ve been Featured portion of #TuneInThursday
Please make sure to visit the post before yours and share some comment love as well as one other post of your choice. In Order to be featured you must follow rule #2 below.
Here are the posts that caught my eye this week:
Top Clicked Post:
My Identity is “Not Out to Pasture” by Sue Donaldson was the most clicked post from last week.
There was a 4-way tie for the 2nd most viewed post(s) from last week, in order of when they linked up:
When You’re Struggling with Your Season By Stacey Pardoe
When Did I Become … A Prayer for Your Life Purpose By Esther Dorotik
How to Get Unbent After Getting Bent Out of Shape By Marva
The Best Kept Secret in the Old Testament By Susan Shipe
Again Welcome and Thank you for joining me for #TuneInThursday it is an honor to have you here!
I have had a few people ask for a badge/button to display on your blogs. I would absolutely be honored if you would display it, or link back here in some way. Thank you!
Now let’s get this party started, feel free to link 1-3 posts:
[Widget_Twitter id=”1″]
Do you wonder if God still speaks today? Do you wonder if He would ever speak to you personally? Do you long to hear the voice of God in your life?
Have your read other books on hearing from God, but long for hands on practical application? or are you looking for ways to move you forward hearing from God?
If you answered YES to any of those questions, then I have exactly what you need. I now have an online e-course designed to equip you in understanding that God still speaks today, and He longs to speak directly to you, through His word, and others. He longs to encourage you, strengthen you and comfort you. The training on this site, is fully based on Scripture, and taken from my training manual Releasing God’s heart through Hearing His Voice.
God is speaking, Can you Hear Him?
d2htrainging.com membership site is open, I invite you to check it out today, and develop a deeper relationship with the Lord, as you learn to hear Him speak to your heart.
Looking for other Great Inspirational Parties. Click Here to see where I Link-Up weekly.
Several Submissions have been featured at Blessed Transgressions, an Online Magazine:
Balancing the Warrior & the Princess We’re Called to Be
Trusting God When it Seems Illogical
Will You Sit with Me? (Jesus is Calling.)
My Post “Climb Every Mountain” was featured in the August monthly link-up at : Life on Intention Link-up Party
My Posts: “Will You Sit with Me?” & New Mercies Everyday & Wait for it were featured here:
My Posts: The Most Wonderful Time of the Year & And So Do We! & Know Your Why were featured here:
My Post: The Power of your Story was featured here:
My Post “What’s in a Name?” was featured here:
My Post: “The Journey through Change” was featured here:
Again, I have been know to link to the following Inspirational Parties:
Hi Debbie,
I like the quote of yours that “Jesus is our peace”…He is definitely my peace & serenity!
Remember you’re welcome to drop by for a cuppa anytime!
Jennifer
Thanks Jennifer, He is our only source of Peace isn’t He ? and I will definitely stop on by 🙂
Such a timely post right now with the deadline for the GDPR deadline tomorrow! 😉 I love the thought of His peace being part of our DNA. Have a great week, friend!
Oye -vey .. YEs the GDPR deadline — has done a lot to attempt to disrupt our peace, especially for us bloggers.. and myself who is so technically challenged… Yes, as I was writing that line, I felt the Holy Spirit nudge me and say – “I’ve Got this!” You have a great weekend too! It’s so good to have you back and writing again, I pray your new desk is just what you needed.
What a blessing to be featured this week, Debbie! Your words are a gift to me every Thursday morning. I especially like that you’re digging into the Word to unpack some truth for us in a very direct way with this series. I needed this Word on peace today. Love this: “His peace is perfect. His peace is a gift to us and is not like the world’s peace. Don’t allow life’s circumstances or the chaos in the world to cause you fear, discouragement, or abandoned.” Wise words! Bless you as you make his truth known!
It was my honor to feature you Stacey, your post was a good one and struck a chord with others as well. Blessings on your for that. Also, thank you so much for your generous words about my writing. I am glad you are enjoying this series and the truths God is giving me to share. Blessings to you
What a great reminder! Peace from God does not look like the peace that the world offers. Which is comforting, because I know that I’ll never be more satisfied than when I’m in Christ, receiving His peace.
Oh Emily, that is such a powerful statement you made – and so true… we will never be more satisfied than when we are receiving the peace of Christ! thanks for being here.
His presence is peace. Oh, how I long for the world to understand this. Thank you. laurensparks.net
You are welcome Lauren … and I too long for the world to understand this simple, yet hard to swallow truth.
I think this is my favorite beatitude. God calls on us to spread the message of peace. Thank you for the reminder!
Laurie – that is great to know this is your favorite beatitude! It definitely is a good one to have as your favorite – Peace is so important
Blessed are the peacemakers… My feet are shod!
Yes and Amen!
How wonderful to see all the smiling faces of the writers in their 4-way tie! I love the community of bloggers that shows up here!
It was fun to see that wasn’t it. I love the community here too. I feel so blessed to host such a wonderful group of bloggers/writers that come to linkup… 🙂 including you – you are so faithful and I love reading your words too.
I just can’t believe that summer’s almost here, can you? I hope you have a great weekend!
Lisa, it is hard to believe, this year is flying by so fast… someone posted that it is only 214 days until Christmas… WOW that seems sooner than I thought. hahah – have a great weekend yourself.
Working on placing Col. 3:15 in my head and heart – Let His peace RULE! Thanks for the shout-out, too, Deb. Blessings on you and yours. (:
You are most welcome Sue. I was glad to give you the shout out. Yep, I am working on letting his peace rule in mine as well. Blessings back in your direction too.
I think it is so important to understand that the nature of peace does not mean the absence of conflict and grasping this truth makes traveling the road of peace so much easier. Wonderful study! Our pastor spent months on the beatitudes, and I so enjoyed the richness of them. Would you believe we spent 2 years in the Sermon on the Mount!
WOW, 2 whole years!!! I can’t even image, but then again there is so much richness in just these first 12 verses of chapter 5 with the beatitudes and the sermon on the mount goes on for a few more chapters after it…. I bet it was good and laid a great solid foundation to living life as a Christ follower. I also agree that it is important for us to understand that peace does not mean the absence of conflict… it goes against all human thinking doesn’t it.. but then again, we don’t want our human thinking we want God’s!
Thanks for hosting this space, Debbie. I’m happy to hear that my post (about getting unbent) tied for second-most viewed. Guess I’m not the only one who gets a little bent out of shape now and again. 🙂 Thank God for grace to even share this message.
Blessings!
You are most welcome Marva – I am so honored to have you as a part of the community here and it was my privilege to feature you. Yes, you are not alone with needing to get “unbent” Blessings to you 🙂
Thank you for hosting! My offerings this week include an American Flag Rice Krispy Treat, a delicious Strawberry Poke Cake and. Patriotic Brownie in a Pretzel Crust with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream. As always you are invited to my own parties! (Latest are shown on my home page). See you there.
Oooh Marilyn your recipes are the perfect things for this holiday weekend, I am going to check out that Strawberry poke cake … hmmmm or maybe the patriotic brownie with the ice cream – and the classic rice krispy treats with a twist… love it they all sound delish!
Hi, Debbie! Thanks for hosting a link up, and for your insightful beatitudes series. I LOVE words and quotes, and I couldn’t stop tweeting your “tweetable” content. I’m going through health and consequently financial struggles currently, and these words meant a lot to me in this journey:
“It is the peace we have when we rest in the confidence assurance that God has got us, even in the midst of life’s storms.” Thanks again for the encouragement.
Hi, Amanda! You are most welcome and thank you so much for all your tweets, I am blessed that you would tweet them and I will get to retweeting them shortly 🙂 I am sorry to hear you are going through some struggles. I am saying a prayer for you right now, and asking God to bring you His peace in the midst of them.. Yes, He is right there with you in the midst of this storm of life, and this too shall pass. I am so glad to have you stop by. I hope you will join us next week 🙂 Blessings
Yes and Amen! So much truth in this statement: “Peace according to the Kingdom of God and peace according to our worldly standards are two very different things.” Even as believers, we tend to rely on external circumstances to dictate our internal emotions. But He will keep in perfect peace, Him whose mind is steadfast because he trusts in Him (Isa 26:3). Will we trust Him with our heart and walk in His presence of peace? Peace = trust = daily walking with Jesus
Love this Debbie!!!
Thank you so much for featuring my post!
Esther, you are so welcome for the feature and also you are so correct… we as believers are often guilty of relying on other things or even searching for things apart from God to bring us peace, and nothing can replace God and His peace in our life. I love Isaiah 26 verse too, such a great reminder isn’t it?!
Thank you so much for this series! I have learned so much and it has touched my heart in so many ways!! You are such a blessing to me!!
Blessings,
Amy
Oh Amy, you are most welcome, thank you so much for always encouraging me and letting me know how my words touch you. You are a blessing to me as well. Welcome to the weekend!
Thanks for linking up at Live Life Well!
Blessings,
Amy
You are welcome Amy 🙂
Always love your words. Thanks for hosting and I hope that you have a wonderful week.
Thank you Patrick. and I always enjoy having you here 🙂 My week was great – and I hope yours was too 🙂
What beautiful words on peace, Debbie. Thank you for sharing over at GraceFull Tuesday!
Thank you Ronja! It’s an honor to link up with you 🙂
I’ve been loving this series. Peace is huge in this crazy life! I loved this “peace is not the absence of conflict, but rather is about our well-being & state of mind.” Anyone that has experienced peace above understanding knows just how much it’s all about Jesus. Thank you for sharing with us at #LiveLifeWell.
Awe 🙂 Thanks Jessica- I am have been enjoying the series as well… sadly it ends soon. Thanks for hosting and stopping by to read. Blessings