If you were able to look at my profile page on Facebook right now you would become informed rather quickly on some very exciting news in my life: I am an Auntie! My sister and her husband had their first child, Caleb and I must say, HE IS ADORABLE. He is only a few days old but I can already see similarities in facial features with his parents. At this point, I can easily see that he has his father's nose (my brother begs to differ but what does he know right? :) As Caleb continues to grow, I know he will continue to develop facial features and other characteristics like his parents. In the same way, as we develop in our relationships with Christ, we too take on the "features" of God. One of these features is described in the Matthew 5:9 which states:
"Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called sons of God" ESV
A quality of God's is that He has peace. Check-out these verses to describe this quality of peace and His desire to give peace:
"For this is what the LORD says: "I will extend peace to her like a river, and the wealth of nations like a flooding stream; you will nurse and be carried on her arm and dandled on her knees." Isaiah 66:12 NIV
"I will make a covenant of peace with them; it will be an everlasting covenant. I will establish them and increase their numbers, and I will put my sanctuary among them forever." Ezekiel 37:26 NIV
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." John 14:27 NIV
"Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you."
John 20:21 NIV
"since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ," Romans 5:1 NIV
"The God of peace be with you all. Amen." Romans 15:33 NIV
"For God is not a God of disorder but of peace." 1 Corinthians 14:33 NIV
"[ Final Greetings ] Finally, brothers, good-by. Aim for perfection, listen to my appeal, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you." 2 Corinthians 13:11 NIV
"And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:7
Whew. Ok, I am going to stop there for now. I cannot tell you how many verses talk about "peace" with many of them coming from personal quotes of Jesus to people saying "Peace be with you" in the New Testament. In the same sense, I think it is also important to say that there are just as many verses that talk about Jesus not merely coming to bring peace, but a "sword." Jesus came to bring justice as well but for the sake of theme of this devotional, we will continue to focus on the peace aspect of Jesus--keeping in mind that He has many qualities.
Additionally in Matthew 5:9, it not only says peace but it ties-in the word "maker." A "peace-maker." Pastor Rick described this as someone who "actively seeks to make peace." Peace does not just exist out of thin-air (unless God miraculously bestows it upon someone). Most of the time, peace has to be created or made between two parties. Here are a few more verses pertaining to the "making of peace."
"Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." Ephesians 4:3 NIV
"Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification." Romans 14:19
Probably the most notable example of showing peace was in the death of Jesus Christ:
"19For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. " Colossi ans 1:19-20 NIV
This passage in Colossi ans is incredibly powerful so I encourage you to read it in its entirety but as you can see that God desired to "reconcile himself all things and this was done through the blood, shed on the cross." Pretty amazing huh?
In conclusion, the verse says that those who make peace shall be called "sons of God." This verse is cross referenced with another passage that talks about being "children of God" (Romans 8:14). So just like a resemblance of a father to a son in facial features exist, making peace can be a quality in which we resemble God in.
"Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called sons of God" ESV
A quality of God's is that He has peace. Check-out these verses to describe this quality of peace and His desire to give peace:
"For this is what the LORD says: "I will extend peace to her like a river, and the wealth of nations like a flooding stream; you will nurse and be carried on her arm and dandled on her knees." Isaiah 66:12 NIV
"I will make a covenant of peace with them; it will be an everlasting covenant. I will establish them and increase their numbers, and I will put my sanctuary among them forever." Ezekiel 37:26 NIV
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." John 14:27 NIV
"Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you."
John 20:21 NIV
"since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ," Romans 5:1 NIV
"The God of peace be with you all. Amen." Romans 15:33 NIV
"For God is not a God of disorder but of peace." 1 Corinthians 14:33 NIV
"[ Final Greetings ] Finally, brothers, good-by. Aim for perfection, listen to my appeal, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you." 2 Corinthians 13:11 NIV
"And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:7
Whew. Ok, I am going to stop there for now. I cannot tell you how many verses talk about "peace" with many of them coming from personal quotes of Jesus to people saying "Peace be with you" in the New Testament. In the same sense, I think it is also important to say that there are just as many verses that talk about Jesus not merely coming to bring peace, but a "sword." Jesus came to bring justice as well but for the sake of theme of this devotional, we will continue to focus on the peace aspect of Jesus--keeping in mind that He has many qualities.
Additionally in Matthew 5:9, it not only says peace but it ties-in the word "maker." A "peace-maker." Pastor Rick described this as someone who "actively seeks to make peace." Peace does not just exist out of thin-air (unless God miraculously bestows it upon someone). Most of the time, peace has to be created or made between two parties. Here are a few more verses pertaining to the "making of peace."
"Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." Ephesians 4:3 NIV
"Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification." Romans 14:19
Probably the most notable example of showing peace was in the death of Jesus Christ:
"19For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. " Colossi ans 1:19-20 NIV
This passage in Colossi ans is incredibly powerful so I encourage you to read it in its entirety but as you can see that God desired to "reconcile himself all things and this was done through the blood, shed on the cross." Pretty amazing huh?
In conclusion, the verse says that those who make peace shall be called "sons of God." This verse is cross referenced with another passage that talks about being "children of God" (Romans 8:14). So just like a resemblance of a father to a son in facial features exist, making peace can be a quality in which we resemble God in.
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