Beatitudes: Lesson 4
By Deborah H. Bateman on December 13, 2011
By Deborah H. Bateman –
Matthew 5:9-12
Matthew 5:9-12
9 Blessed [are] the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. 10 Blessed [are] they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are ye, when [men] shall revile you, and persecute [you], and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great [is] your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
If you have been following the “Beatitudes” Series, this is lesson four of the series. The Beatitudes is part of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. Jesus was preaching to the multitude when He said, “Blessed [are] the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.” How are we to be peacemakers when we live in a world that is constantly at war? How are we to be peacemakers when we live in a troubled world? We are the ones who are to bring about peace in the world by overcoming the evil in the world through teaching, preaching and sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. We need to set the example for the rest of the world.
Some of the words that describe peacemakers are arbitrators, negotiators, and mediators. We need more Christians that are in roles of leadership in our communities, states, and our countries. People that know the word of God and can stand up for what is right and good in the world.
There are a lot of scriptures concerning peace in the Bible. Here are a few that I thought might be relevant to what it takes to be a peacemaker.
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.-John 14:27, KJV In this scripture Jesus tells us tells us that His peace is different than that of the worlds and He tells us that we don’t need to be troubled or afraid.
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.-John 16:33, KJV In this scripture Jesus reminds us that even though we will have trouble in this world, we need to remember that He has overcome the world.
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:-Romans 5:1 This scripture reminds us that the only way we can have true peace and peace with God is through our relationship with Jesus Christ. Do you have a relationship with Him?
For to be carnally minded [is] death; but to be spiritually minded [is] life and peace.-Romans 8:6 In this verse we are reminded to be spiritually minded is how we find life and true peace.
Romans 14:17-19
For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
For he that in these things serveth Christ [is] acceptable to God, and approved of men.
Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.
Jesus tells us the reward for being a peacemaker is that they will be called the children of God. In all this scripture we looked at today, it is evident the only way to be a peacemaker is with the help of the Lord Jesus Christ living in your heart.
Jesus says blessed are those who are persecuted for my name’s sake. There have been many Christians who have been persecuted over the years because of their stand for the gospel of Jesus Christ. As an example, look at Paul and others from the Bible, who went about preaching and teaching the gospel of Christ and were imprisoned for their stand for Christ. There have been people who were even killed because of taking a stand for Christ.
Jesus says great is your reward in heaven. According to this scripture, we should not fret when people talk bad about us or falsely accuse us, if we are living a Godly life and standing for the Lord, we will be greatly rewarded in heaven.
Things to think about:
- Are you a peacemaker?
- Do you try to live a peaceful life with others?
- Have you ever been persecuted for your stand for Christ?
- How would you respond if you were persecuted for the gospel?
Blessings,
Deborah H. Bateman
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