I think I’m a natural troublemaker. I guess it goes against my DNA to be a peacemaker yet that is what I am called to do. But I do long for peace. I long for peace between Republicans and Democrats. I long for peace between Christian factions. I long for peace in my family. But according to the Bible this peace may elude us. To get horizontal peace (peace between humans), we first need vertical peace (between human beings and God), but not everyone has vertical peace so you are often dealing with people who have no peace at all. So to be a peacemaker requires that you enter the fray with those who have no peace in order to try to bring peace to them–and that would be through Jesus who is our peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
But Jesus himself ends up being a divider. Perhaps this is why Jesus said “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.” The Gospel will inevitably divide people, so not all division is bad. Therefore, when you are talking about Jesus and the Gospel, expect division to come. The paradoxical question is how do we become a peacemaker when our world is so divided? To do this we first need to speak the truth with radical humility and love. Not to win an argument but to win hearts. Then we need to prioritize relationship over retaliation. Romans 12:8 says “as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone”. Lastly, don’t take the insults or hostility as a personal attack but realize that is its the result of spiritual poverty. While we are called to be peacemakers, this doesn’t guarantee we will end up in peace. We cannot control what another person has in their heart. Any division that does occur should be because of the cross not our own arrogance, malice, or bad attitude.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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