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The Sermon on the Mount

Matthew 5 - 7

Chapter 5

Blessed are those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.

What does this mean?

Context and Interpretation

1. Context in the Sermon on the Mount:
   • The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) presents Jesus’ teachings on the values and principles of the Kingdom of Heaven. The Beatitudes, which open the sermon, describe the characteristics and behaviors that are blessed by God.
2. Immediate Context:
   • This Beatitude follows those on being "poor in spirit," "mourning," "meekness," "hungering and thirsting for righteousness," "showing mercy," and "purity of heart." It highlights the importance of actively seeking and promoting peace.

Explanation of the Passage

1. "Blessed are those who work for peace":
   • The phrase "work for peace" (often translated as "peacemakers") refers to those who actively seek to bring about reconciliation, harmony, and wholeness in relationships and communities.
   • Peacemaking involves more than just the absence of conflict; it is about proactively creating conditions for true and lasting peace, which includes justice, understanding, and compassion.
   • Biblically, peace (Hebrew: shalom) encompasses a state of complete well-being, including physical, emotional, social, and spiritual aspects.
2. "For they will be called the children of God":
   • The promise that peacemakers will be called "children of God" indicates a special relationship with God. Those who work for peace reflect God's character and His desire for harmony and reconciliation.
   • Being called children of God means being recognized as part of God's family, sharing in His nature, and representing Him in the world.
   • Romans 8:14-16 speaks to this relationship: "For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, 'Abba, Father.'"

Biblical Principles

1. Peacemaking:
   • Peacemaking is a central aspect of Christian discipleship. It involves actively seeking to resolve conflicts, restore broken relationships, and promote understanding and cooperation among people.
   • James 3:18 states, "Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness."
2. Reflection of God's Character:
   • By being peacemakers, believers reflect God's character. God is described as the "God of peace" (Romans 15:33, Philippians 4:9), and Jesus is called the "Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6). Peacemakers imitate God's nature and work to bring His peace into the world.
3. Children of God:
   • The title "children of God" signifies a close, familial relationship with God. It emphasizes that those who work for peace are aligned with God's purposes and are recognized as His own.

Application

• Active Peacemaking: Believers are encouraged to actively pursue peace in their personal relationships, communities, and the broader world. This involves addressing conflicts, promoting justice, and fostering reconciliation.
• Cultivating Peaceful Attitudes: Developing attitudes of forgiveness, patience, and compassion is essential for peacemaking. Believers should strive to embody these qualities in their interactions with others.
• Reflecting God's Peace: As representatives of God's peace, believers are called to bring His peace into every situation. This includes being agents of healing and reconciliation in a fractured world.

Challenges and Encouragement

• Overcoming Conflict: Peacemaking often involves confronting difficult and entrenched conflicts. It requires courage, wisdom, and persistence.
• Trusting in God's Promise: Believers can find encouragement in the promise that their efforts in peacemaking are recognized and blessed by God. Being called children of God is a significant affirmation of their identity and mission.