January 18, 2002

BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS

"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God" (Matthew 5:9, KJV).

Christ is "the Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6). It is His mission to restore peace and unity to heaven and earth (see Ephesians 1:9, 10). "Being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 5:1). Jesus said, "Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you: not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid" (John 14:27 NKJV). Isaiah testified, "You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trust in You" (Isaiah 26:3). Whoever opens his heart to the love of Christ and follows Him will become a partaker and distributor of this heavenly peace.

"There is no other ground of peace than this. The grace of Christ received into the heart subdues enmity; it allays strife and fills the soul with love. He who is at peace with God and his fellow men cannot be made miserable... The heart that is in harmony with God is a partaker of the peace of heaven and will diffuse its blessed influence on all around. The spirit of peace will rest like dew upon hearts weary and troubled with worldly strife.

"Christ's followers are sent to the world with the message of peace. Whoever, by the quiet, unconscious influence of a holy life, shall reveal the love of Christ; whoever, by word or deed, shall lead another to renounce sin and yield his heart to God, is a peacemaker."--Thoughts From The Mount Of Blessing, pp., 27, 28.

"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God" (Matthew 5:9). "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God" (Romans 8:14).