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Matthew 5:1-2, 9
In Matthew 5:9 (NKJV) Jesus teaches us, “Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God.” In John 16:33 (NIV) Jesus teaches us, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” We must also take into consideration the words of Jesus in Matthew 10:34 (HCSB), “Don’t assume that I came to bring peace on the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.” Jesus goes on in Matthew 10:35-39 to tell of turning a man against his father and a daughter against her mother. He says that a person cannot love his or her mother, father, brothers and sisters more than Him. But this is not about not loving our families but putting God first in our lives as our ultimate provider.
This is a promise that the peacemakers will be called sons of God (Matthew 5:9).
Jesus, saying that He will bring a sword and not peace is to that of understanding that one who puts Jesus first in their life will come into conflict with those in their families who do not put Jesus first in their lives; not that we should be in conflict with our family members, but that they will be in conflict with us as they seek the ways of the world instead of the ways of God. This is why we should share the love of Christ Jesus with our families, and hopefully they can see Jesus working in our lives and we may eventually lead them to a desire to open their hearts to Jesus as well. The reward for being peacemakers is the promise of being called “sons [and daughters] of God” (Matthew 5:9, NKJV).
Dear LORD,
Please help us to understand that being peacemakers in Christ Jesus will bring division. Not that we strive to create division, but that others will alienate us because of our faith in Jesus as our Savior, and the Savior of the world. Please help us to find ways to relay the peace of Christ Jesus to our family members, and everyone everywhere so we may truly be called “sons [and daughters] of God” (Matthew 5:9, NKJV). In Jesus name I pray, amen.