Blessed are the peacemakers. Chances are, even if you’re not a believer, you’ve heard that Bible verse (Matthew 5:9): “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God.”
This verse is often attributed to law enforcement, as their primary role in society has traditionally been to serve in this capacity, keeping the peace in communities. In the last devotional, we discussed how to have the peace of God as a follower of Christ. Now, we look at how to share that peace with others.
The supernatural world is at constant spiritual war- the war between good and evil, and our earthly home is a mirror of that war. Police officers hold the line between those who are evil and those who are innocent, especially those who can’t protect themselves. Those who believe in Jesus serve an important role in both battles- they are peacemakers on earth, and they can serve as one who brings peace and reconciliation between a man and God.
A peacemaker is not someone who reads the morning paper and thinks, “Wow, someone should really do something about that.” It is, in part, the officer that dons his uniform, shines her badge, and responds to calls for service each and every day, often putting their own lives at risk for someone they don’t even know.
Likewise, it is a person who hits the streets finding the lowest of the low who need a smile, a warm meal, or some prayers.
As first responders, we have a unique ability to be the peacemaker for every single person we contact on a daily basis in both of these ways. Peace does not need to be made with this world, but rather reconciliation between the world and the Lord.
What an incredible opportunity, then, you have to bring that peace and reconciliation through your actions. When we see the doped up homeless guy and we take five minutes to have a conversation with him, and then buy him a $2 hamburger. That is obviously good for community relations between citizens and officers, but even more than that, it’s an incredible act of humility and respect that allows Jesus and His love to shine through the actions.
So, while earthly peacemakers deserve to be honored for standing in the gap between the innocent and the evildoer, spiritual peacemakers can help bring a person into the ultimate peace- a relationship with their heavenly Father. May you be used in magnificently in both realms!
This verse is often attributed to law enforcement, as their primary role in society has traditionally been to serve in this capacity, keeping the peace in communities. In the last devotional, we discussed how to have the peace of God as a follower of Christ. Now, we look at how to share that peace with others.
The supernatural world is at constant spiritual war- the war between good and evil, and our earthly home is a mirror of that war. Police officers hold the line between those who are evil and those who are innocent, especially those who can’t protect themselves. Those who believe in Jesus serve an important role in both battles- they are peacemakers on earth, and they can serve as one who brings peace and reconciliation between a man and God.
A peacemaker is not someone who reads the morning paper and thinks, “Wow, someone should really do something about that.” It is, in part, the officer that dons his uniform, shines her badge, and responds to calls for service each and every day, often putting their own lives at risk for someone they don’t even know.
Likewise, it is a person who hits the streets finding the lowest of the low who need a smile, a warm meal, or some prayers.
As first responders, we have a unique ability to be the peacemaker for every single person we contact on a daily basis in both of these ways. Peace does not need to be made with this world, but rather reconciliation between the world and the Lord.
What an incredible opportunity, then, you have to bring that peace and reconciliation through your actions. When we see the doped up homeless guy and we take five minutes to have a conversation with him, and then buy him a $2 hamburger. That is obviously good for community relations between citizens and officers, but even more than that, it’s an incredible act of humility and respect that allows Jesus and His love to shine through the actions.
So, while earthly peacemakers deserve to be honored for standing in the gap between the innocent and the evildoer, spiritual peacemakers can help bring a person into the ultimate peace- a relationship with their heavenly Father. May you be used in magnificently in both realms!
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The opinions reflected in this article are not necessarily the opinions of LET
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