Peacemaker

Colossians 1:19-20
For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

Jesus shed his blood for the purpose of making peace with God. It is reconciliation with the Father that Jesus is concerned about. This is why he was not interested in settling civilian affairs or overtaking the ruling government. A peacemaker is one through whom Christ makes his appeal for reconciliation known. Peacemakers chosen by God represent the policy maker and keeper; God. He sets forth the offer for peace before God’s enemies. He must be clear and thorough in dispatching the terms of the offer and in proclaiming the power of the One who keeps it. It is not his duty to wrestle with others to get them to accept the conditions of the peace agreement; only to proclaim in the most understandable way possible.

We who are given grace to know Jesus by faith are called to be his instruments for making his appeal for peace to the enemies of God. This should not be confused with a duty to merely avoid conflict or to make a life of promoting peace between men. The peacemaker promotes peace between man and God. As we can plainly see from Jesus earthly life, the work of reconciling men to God does not necessarily lead to peace with other men. This man to man peace was not even on Jesus’ agenda, although it is desired by those who follow him. We are called to live quiet peaceful lives and to live peaceably with all men but our first priority it to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ; the offer of peace, its’ terms and means of completion.

If a person is given grace to believe on Jesus Christ, he has peace with God the Father. If one is given peace with God, all his earthly relationships will fall into line with that. He will be at peace with all men – even those who want to kill him. The man of God has his peace, which is Jesus, even if others don’t. God’s children keep their peace if they are living according to the peace agreement as given by scripture. When we are at odds with others, it indicates we are not complying with the agreement. We are disobedient in some area. If we are obedient, people may at odds with us – someone certainly will be at odds with us, but we will have peace on our end. We can never point the finger at someone else if we feel we have lost our peace in a relationship. Our peace is with God and God keeps it, so we always have it. Likewise, we can never look for peace from others – God is the only source. Jesus Christ is peace and in Him only is peace with God possible. Peace with God defines all of our earthly relationships. If our main objective is to enjoy the gift of our peace in Christ and proclaim and promote other’s peace with Him, we will have the most serene life imaginable.