Matthew 5:1-12 The heart of it all, the attitude of a peacemaker – Jesus and His own.
Peacemakers, sowing seeds of peace. Among who? All. That is, all that we encounter. We are to be an oasis of peace - as we have peace with God, established by God through Christ. And we have peace with ourselves by god’s healing grace. So now, we who have peace, live in peace with God, that we might bring that same peace to others - that they too, might have peace with God and themselves, and themselves bring that peace to those they encounter.
We are living in a time and place where Godly wisdom is so necessary - essential. see the contrast: James 3-4
We are living in a time and place where Godly wisdom is so necessary.
It is God’s wisdom that brought peace (Jesus, the wisdom of God - Luke 11:49; 1Cor 1:21,24,30; Col 2:3), and it is with and by God’s wisdom that we can bring peace to others - that we can be peacemakers.
Peace - everything which makes for a man’s highest good - not wishing for another merely the absence of evil things; he wishes for him the presence of all good things - this would be “...glad tidings of great joy for all the people of earth…, a savior has been born to you, the Messiah of the Lord… Glory to God in the highest heaven and on earth - peace - on whom His favor rests.” Luke 2:10-11, 14
We have this peace with God in Christ, it is ours to bring that forward with God’s wisdom… not avoiding making waves, but wading into the chaos and peril of this world, we bring the peace of God in Christ, we are peacemakers, being called sons of God, or, going about God’s work - peace-making - making right relationship between God and man, and man and man.
Not being a person who promotes discord and unrest, but being one around whom these cannot live, or breathe, or grow - may we be that person.
James 3:17 “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy, good fruit, impartial, and sincere.”
Pure - free from the defilement of love for the “world”; chaste, innocent, and modest (love is not conceited, haughty, puffed up, full of self), prepared for worship, the offering of our selves, our bodies as instruments of righteousness, the first of which is bringing peace - (Ro 12:1-3)
“Blessed are the pure in heart… they will see God…” (Mt 5:8)
Peace-loving - (pre)disposed to peace, wanting and seeking after peace, securing and protecting peace - with God, in and with self, and others - peaceable -
Blessed are the peacemakers (Mt 5:9)
Peacemakers are of those who love peace, and long to bring peace, and are willing, at great personal risk, to bring peace
“...will be called sons of God” (Mt 5:9)
Gentle - reasonable, moderate, fair, mild - one of Jesus’ key attributes and characteristics as the Son of God
“...come to me…,...I am gentle and humble in heart, and you find rest for your souls” Matthew 11:28-30 (Titus 3:2)
Fair and impartial - "equity-justice" – properly, equitable; "gentle" in the sense of truly fair by relaxing overly strict standards in order to keep the "spirit of the law." "Justice beyond ordinary justice" builds on the real intent (purpose) of what is really at stake (note the epi, "upon") – and hence, is true equity that appropriately fulfills the spirit (not just the letter) of the law - “upon another” for their good and welfare (agape - love).
Accommodating or submissive - “constantly attendant”, it has a willing s’pirit that is predisposed to God’s will and way and the needs of others - it obeys easily, it sees, naturally, and does
“Then the righteous will say to Him ‘when did we so you and…, …truly I tell you, whatever you did it for the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it for me…’” Matthew 25:37
As the Trinity lives and loves one another in mutual submission to one another
Submit to God and His word and way
Being full of the Spirit, at peace with God, content in Him, we, having been loved, now love - our hearts being more and more conditioned to be naturally alert, aware of one another’s needs; we are open-handed - waiting and ready to give, and, cannot help but give. (Luke 10:25-37 the good Samaritan)
Submit one to another in true love and service, care and consideration for one another - loving one another as we have been loved (Eph 5:21)
This wisdom, condescends to those who are lost, as to meet them where they are and bring the message of hope as the fruit of a life that lives goodly, or beautifully, bringing forth the person and fruit of Christ in us - loving the lost as God, in Christ, so loved us (John 1:9-14;13:34; 15:12-17; Rom 12:10; Eph 5:2; 1John 3:11; 2John 1:5)
Full of mercy - a “tender” mercy, pity, and compassion that is right a the surface, a heart conditioned to see, feel, consider, and respond - as it sees and recognizes the need before them regardless of who they are or what they have done - as we are merciful, as our heavenly Father is merciful - we show ourselves to be children of our Father (Ps 119:76, 132; Luke 6:36; Romans 12:1)
Bearing good fruit
The character and nature of Jesus and His righteousness. “...for I am (a) gentle, humble, servant…” (Mt 11)
The fruits of the Spirit - “...the fruit of the Spirit is…”
“...the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” Galatians 5:22
Sincere - a sincere love that truly wants God’s best, God’s blessing, God’s favor on all, every, and each we encounter - unfeigned, unpretentious, and genuine “...love must be sincere…” Romans 12:9-21
This is the fruit or the fruits - the character of a heart conditioned by Jesus and trained in our abiding with Him, empowered and prompted by the Holy Spirit - to see the plight of those around us and desire to, long to, bring peace, relief, true and lasting, eternal peace
Blessed are the peacemakers, they will be called the children of God
All - the world - be aware, concerned, and pray
Every - that everyone might come to a saving knowledge of Jesus
Each - would be saved
