We're already on week 7 of our Beatitudes study, a little series within the normal Weekly Truth routine that focuses on 8 verses in Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. We've been learning what these truths mean for us in our day-to-day lives, and as always, I'm sharing a free phone wallpaper to aid in memorization and remind us of Truth throughout our week. In case you missed any of the previous Beatitudes posts, you can catch up here.
The Beatitudes, Week 7
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God." Matthew 5:9
One thing that keeps striking me as I write each of these posts is that while Jesus meets us where we are, we can't stay there; we can't be saved by the grace of God and remain the same. Each week we've seen how the blessings of eternity are given to those who are new creatures in Christ. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Obtaining mercy, seeing God, being called children of God - these are all marks of salvation. They are only promised to those who reflect Jesus through being merciful, pure in heart, and peacemakers. These aren't optional suggestions for how to be a better person; Jesus is describing the pathway to heaven.
Jesus doesn't tell us how to become children of God in this passage; he simply tells us that sons of God are peacemakers. But the answer is all over Scripture:
"But to all who did receive [Jesus], who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God." John 1:12
"For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith." Galatians 3:26
We become sons of God by believing in Christ and trusting Him for forgiveness and hope. And then, because we're children of God, we begin to reflect the character of our heavenly Father, the ultimate Peacemaker.
Jon Piper says it well: "The whole history of redemption, climaxing in the death and resurrection of Jesus, is God's strategy to bring about a just and lasting peace between rebel man and himself, and then between man and man. Therefore, God's children are that way, too. They have the character of their Father. What he loves they love. What he pursues they pursue. You can know his children by whether they are willing to make sacrifices for peace the way God did."
So that's my prayer this week, that we would remember God's sacrifice and gift of peace and reflect that in our interactions with others. Yes, even when the lady in white Honda cuts us off in traffic or our husband leaves a pen in his khakis and ruins our favorite sweater in the wash. Let's praise God for making us his children and allow that to spill over in acts of peace throughout our week.
Each week I design a new iPhone background with a different verse and share it on the blog. Seeing Scripture several times throughout my day reminds me of truth, strengthens my faith, and helps me me memorize God's Word so I can accurately share it with others. Feel free to download, pin, and share these backgrounds as many times as you would like!
