More Than Loving Peace

As we journey through the beatitudes, we have seen how God transforms us from the inside out—from recognizing our spiritual poverty to pursuing purity of heart. Now we encounter a beatitude that calls us to action in the world around us. Peacemakers are not just those who love the concept of peace or who avoid conflict. The word “maker” shows deliberate action to create peace in our lives and in the lives of those around us. This is active, intentional work that often requires great sacrifice and courage.

Jesus defines what this peacemaking looks like in practical terms. It means loving those who hate us, blessing those who curse us, heaping kindness and prayers upon those who persecute us and would consider us their enemies (Matthew 5:44-45). This is not natural human behavior. Our flesh wants to retaliate, to defend ourselves, to return evil for evil. But Jesus calls His followers to a radically different response—one that reflects the very character of God Himself.

In doing so, we demonstrate another Spirit-given attribute that reflects God’s character and heart. Every day, He provides for, clothes, and feeds both the just and the unjust. His mercy and grace are longsuffering and abundant. He wishes for all to come to Him and cares for all people (2 Peter 3:9). God does not withhold His common grace from those who reject Him. The sun rises on the evil and the good. Rain falls on the just and the unjust. This is the pattern we are called to follow.

Showcasing God’s Amazing Love

When we choose peace, kindness, and grace—especially toward those who oppose us—we are showcasing God’s amazing, undeserved love for all mankind. We manifest Him in our lives so that others can see and taste that the Lord is good (Psalm 34:8). Through our peacemaking efforts, God can work wondrously and bring to salvation those who once considered us enemies. Our peaceful response to hostility becomes a powerful testimony to the transforming power of the gospel.

Paul writes, “If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men” (Romans 12:18). Notice the qualifications in this verse. Paul acknowledges that peace is not always possible—it takes two parties willing to reconcile. But “as much as depends on you” places the responsibility squarely on our shoulders. We are to do everything within our power to pursue peace, even when others refuse to reciprocate. Although we cannot control how others respond to us, we can control how we respond to them.

This pursuit of peace is not weakness or passive acceptance of evil. Jesus Himself made peace between God and humanity through the violent, costly act of the cross (Colossians 1:20). Sometimes making peace requires confronting sin, speaking difficult truth, or standing firm on principle. But even in these situations, our motivation should be reconciliation rather than vindication. Our goal should be restoration rather than revenge. We seek peace not because we are cowards but because we serve the God of peace.

Bearing the Family Resemblance

The promise attached to this beatitude is particularly meaningful: “they shall be called sons of God.” Peacemaking identifies us as belonging to God’s family. It bears the family resemblance. When we actively work to create peace, we demonstrate that we are children of our heavenly Father who “so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son” (John 3:16). God’s ultimate act of peacemaking was sending Christ to reconcile hostile sinners to Himself (Romans 5:10). When we pursue peace with others, we reflect this same heart.

To be called sons of God means more than simply being recognized by others. It means we are living out our identity as His children. John writes, “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!” (1 John 3:1). This identity shapes our actions. We don’t make peace to become God’s children—we make peace because we are God’s children. Our peacemaking flows from our relationship with the God of peace, not as a means of establishing that relationship.

The world desperately needs peacemakers. It is filled with division, hostility, bitterness, and vengeance. Into this broken world, God sends His children as agents of reconciliation. We are called to be bridge-builders in relationships, mediators in conflicts, and ambassadors of the gospel of peace. This calling extends to every sphere of life—our marriages, our families, our churches, our workplaces, and our communities.

The Cost and Reward of Peacemaking

We must be honest about the cost of peacemaking. It often means absorbing hurt without retaliating, extending forgiveness when we’ve been genuinely wronged, taking the first step toward reconciliation even when we weren’t the offender, and loving those who make themselves unlovable. This is costly, sacrificial work that requires supernatural power—the power of the Holy Spirit working in and through us.

Yet the reward is worth the cost. Peacemakers experience the blessing of reflecting God’s character to a watching world. They enjoy deeper, more authentic relationships built on forgiveness and grace and participate in God’s redemptive work of bringing reconciliation to broken situations. Most significantly, they demonstrate to themselves and others that they truly are children of the living God.

Reflection Questions

1. In what current relationship or situation is God calling you to be an active peacemaker rather than simply avoiding conflict?
2. How does remembering God’s abundant mercy toward you change your willingness to extend mercy to those who have wronged you?
3. What specific steps can you take this week to pursue peace “as much as depends on you” in a difficult relationship?
4. How does your response to those who oppose or persecute you reflect (or fail to reflect) the character of your heavenly Father?

Prayer

Consider that God reconciled you to Himself while you were still His enemy. Let this reality motivate your pursuit of peace with others, even those who currently oppose you.

For further study on the beatitudes, see the full devotional series here: Beatitudes