To answer the question, "What does it mean to be a peacemaker?" we can look to the family of God as a prime example. The virtues of humility, love, and forgiveness enable families, friends, and neighbors to live in peace. Peacemaking often involves navigating through conflict, making tough decisions, and facing opposition. Although the path to peace is filled with challenges, true peacemaking—aligned with biblical understanding—frequently involves enduring and overcoming significant obstacles.
A few years ago, I wrote a song titled "Shalom Lullaby." The Hebrew word "Shalom," often used as a common Jewish farewell, encompasses peace, quietness, and rest. This state of peace leads to a sense of health and wholeness in both thoughts and well-being. The song was inspired by the rise of random and rampant violence and by hearing how people were living in fear—afraid to leave their homes, get gas, or go shopping because of the threat of stray bullets from drive-by shootings. This lullaby’s calming melody soothes babies and children, as well as adults.
Close your eyes, I am here.
Do not fear, I am near day and night
Dark or light, let My peace come.
Call My name, I’ll give heed to all you need
For I am the Peace that passes all other peace.
Now rest in me, now rest in me, Shalom.
David writes about this same kind of Shalom peace in Psalm 4. He says, “Give me relief from my distress; have mercy on me and hear my prayer.” He concludes with, “In peace, I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.” Although he was distressed, he experienced “Shalom” peace, knowing God was watching over him and guiding his days.
Biblical Definition of a Peacemaker
A peacemaker is someone who actively seeks to promote peace and harmony in relationships, communities, and situations of conflict. They strive to resolve disputes, mediate, and foster understanding and cooperation among individuals or groups.
Matthew 5:9 tells us, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” Unsurprisingly, as God’s children, we are related to Jesus, the Prince of Peace, who enables us to become peacemakers as we develop His peace within and with others. Seeking harmony and unity with family and friends is essential to being a peacemaker. Daily commitment to these values strengthens relationships, reduces conflict, and creates a more peaceful environment.
The Role of a Peacemaker in the Bible
A couple of examples from Old Testament Scriptures may be helpful. Abraham’s trust in God’s guidance and protection provided him with a sense of peace that he could share with his nephew, Lot. By avoiding conflict and pursuing harmony, Abram bolstered their relationship. Abram said to Lot, “Let’s not have any quarreling between you and me or between your herders and mine, for we are close relatives. Is not the whole land before you? Let’s part company. If you go to the left, I’ll go to the right; if you go to the right, I’ll go to the left” (Genesis 13:8-9).
Finding peace when someone is trying to kill you is a test for peace, as David demonstrated. David refused to harm his pursuer. He understood God had a divine plan unfolding amidst King Saul's attacks. David trusted that one day, God would establish the timeline for him to ascend the throne. Until then, he relied on God's peace from trusting through the testing.
In the New Testament, Paul teaches the importance of peacemaking. In Romans 12:18, he wrote, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” This is a challenging command, yet we can become more skilled at being a peacemaker by relying on the Father’s divine help and guidance.
Principles of Peacemaking
Three foundational principles stand out in our pursuit of peace: listening, forgiveness, and humility. These virtues are essential for maintaining relationships and resolving conflicts. Let us explore how these principles contribute to peacemaking in our daily lives.
A key step to being a peacemaker involves active listening, as James 1:19 advises: “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” Too often, it's easy to slip into a quick response without truly listening to the other side. Imagine a heated family dinner with high tensions over a sensitive topic. Instead of reacting impulsively, one family member takes a deep breath, listens attentively to everyone’s concerns, and asks clarifying questions. Listening defuses the situation and opens up space for a more constructive conversation. This scenario mirrors the biblical principle from James 1:19 about being "quick to listen" and helps to bridge gaps between opposing viewpoints.
Forgiveness is vital. When Peter asked Jesus if forgiving someone seven times was enough, Jesus' response was surprising: not seven times, but seventy-seven times (Matthew 18:22). While forgiving is not always simple, it is consistently the correct course of action.
Consider a long-standing feud between two community leaders. After years of animosity, one leader courageously extends an olive branch, acknowledging past mistakes and expressing genuine remorse. This act of forgiveness leads to a heartfelt conversation that paves the way for renewed trust and collaboration. This example illustrates Ephesians 4:32, where forgiveness and kindness can mend broken relationships and produce peace.
Humility, along with gentleness, is essential in our interactions with others.
Sarah and James approach a disagreement over financial priorities—saving for their children's education versus paying off the mortgage—and acknowledge James’s concerns about the mortgage. James recognizes Sarah’s focus on education savings. They clearly express their needs, seek a compromise by agreeing on a balanced financial plan, and consult a financial advisor for guidance. Their mutual appreciation for each other’s perspectives leads to a resolution that respects both viewpoints and strengthens their relationship.
Colossians 3:12 urges us to “clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience” as we cultivate our peacemaking skills. Embracing gentleness, love, and kindness transforms loud, discordant voices into peaceful dialogues. Proverbs 25:11 beautifully illustrates this, stating, “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver,” emphasizing the value of well-chosen, thoughtful words. Pride often prompts us to react impulsively and express our frustrations before fully understanding the other’s perspective. By humbly listening, we pave the way for more constructive conversations.
Application of Peacemaking Today
When an issue arises in our families, we are guarded by God’s principles, which teach us to resolve conflict with humility and forgiveness. The love of family calls us to set aside selfishness during times of conflict and instead to lovingly listen, strive to understand the core of the problem, and work towards a redemptive outcome. We strengthen our familial bonds and create a more agreeable home environment by advancing open communication and showing genuine care for one another. This is much easier said than done, but we will become more effective with the help of the Holy Spirit’s wisdom and growing peacemaking skills.
Work can sometimes be a hotbed of conflict that requires a level-headed, peaceful person to mediate and see the bigger picture with understanding and unity. Peacemakers are crucial not only for promoting peace with everyone but also for maintaining it by addressing underlying issues and ensuring stability. Too often, conflicts arise from personal preferences that benefit one individual rather than the entire group. In these situations, prioritizing the greater good of the workgroup over individual hurt feelings is essential. Making tough choices that may not be universally popular but are necessary for the greater good of the work environment becomes a moral obligation. Peacemakers play a key role in sustaining a productive environment by managing conflicts and finding balanced solutions.
As citizens, our role extends beyond just advocating for justice that aligns with God’s values. As peacemakers, we must also work to maintain the integrity and stability of our communities. This means voting for political candidates who show integrity and uphold the foundational principles upon which our nation was built. Christians working to elect people who promote godly values rather than the world’s sinful values help ensure a just and principled society. The Old Testament is filled with worldly kings who led the nation into sin and captivity. “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin condemns any people” (Proverbs 14:34). By actively participating in the political process and voting for leaders who reflect biblical values, we sustain a fair and thriving community that God will bless.
The Challenges and Rewards of Being a Peacemaker
The challenges and rewards of being a peacemaker go hand in hand. Facing opposition, misunderstanding, or complex and deep-rooted conflicts can be difficult. However, the outcome—achieving peace within the family, workplace, or community—brings the reward of restful nights and enjoyable relationships. This leads to inner peace and a sense of fulfillment, strengthening undivided connections that become the norm rather than conflict.
As children of God, we are called to embrace peace, which is the antidote to anger and quarrels.
Jesus, the Prince of Peace, is Our Example
Jesus was always on the side of His disciples. He fought for them, forgave them, listened to them, and stood in the gap for them, even at the cost of His own life. He understood the difference between showing love to those close to Him and standing firm against His enemies. Ultimately, His goal was peace, as demonstrated on the cross when He prayed for those enemies, ‘Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34).
This Prince of Peace exemplifies how we should interact with our families, workplaces, neighbors, and church communities. Jesus reconciled all of humanity to the Father and to each other. Through the forgiveness of sin, the cross achieved its purpose. By living like Jesus—emulating His example, caring for others, and fulfilling the second greatest commandment of loving our neighbors as ourselves—we move closer to attaining a peaceful life with family and friends.
James 4:1 asks, “What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you?” When we fail to get what we want, we often resort to quarrels and fights driven by pride and worldly desires. However, when we submit to God, we embrace HIs wisdom in overcoming conflicts and stepping towards harmony.
A Historical Example of a Peacemaker
Martin Luther King Jr. exemplified biblical peacemaking principles through his unwavering commitment to nonviolent resistance and his pursuit of justice and reconciliation. Grounded in Jesus' teachings, King advocated for love and forgiveness, even toward those who opposed him, mirroring Ephesians 4:32's call to kindness and compassion.
King states, “Mankind must evolve for all human conflict a method which rejects revenge, aggression, and relationship. The foundation of such a method is love.”
His leadership during the Civil Rights Movement sought to unite people of all races, emphasizing the importance of living in peace with everyone as encouraged in Romans 12:18. Through his speeches and actions, Martin Luther King showed that true peacemaking often requires courage, sacrifice, and a steadfast commitment to the principles of justice and equality outlined in the Bible.
Another well-known peace promoter was Mother Teresa, who said, “If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.”
I recall a situation where, as the executive pastor, I was called upon to counsel a hot-tempered custodian struggling with anger issues related to his supervisor and church members. From my learning experiences with marriage, family, and friends, responding with kindness, care, and humility in difficult situations greatly facilitates conflict resolution. PEOPLE ARE MORE IMPORTANT THAN ISSUES; they are the true treasures of life. Opinions change, feelings fluctuate, and emotions erupt. However, growing in love with Jesus makes it easier to love others, even those who are challenging to love. Forgiveness not only benefits the one forgiven but also grants freedom to the forgiver.
I encouraged the custodian to address his concerns with kindness and gratitude, prioritizing relationships over conflicts, which helped him make progress toward resolution.
Peacemaking Is an Evolving Skill
Peacemaking is not merely a static ability but an evolving skill that grows deeper and better over time. Navigating conflicts in a balanced way requires both discernment and wisdom, humility and grace. Granted, there will be times when peacemaking with a difficult person may be impossible; therefore, Paul’s admonition, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone” (Romans 12:18).
Peacemaking is as much about the heart as strategy. When we love and value others, this skill becomes a powerful tool for avoiding and resolving conflicts. Having the peace of Jesus within helps bring peace to others. Aligning our actions of listening, forgiving, and humility is highly effective against inflaming tensions and instead creates opportunities for reconciliation. Discerning when to stand firm and when to yield ensures our actions reflect not only our convictions but also a commitment to cherishing peace while mirroring God’s love.
Mother Teresa said, “Peace begins with a smile. Let us practice peace within our hearts, then extend it to our families, workplaces, communities, and the world, for it is through our actions that we create a ripple effect of harmony.”
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