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In The Garden Daily Devotional
Series: A Walk Through Matthew
"Peace in Our Time"
Pastor Wayne Clabaugh
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SCRIPTURE TEXT: "Blessed are the peacemakers:
for they shall be called the children of God."
Matthew 5:9 (KJV)
I can't stand to be at odds with anyone. It wars at
my spirit to be in conflict. Despite what it may cost
me, I would rather be a peace "maker".
Peace "makers" are happy. Peace “makers” are open to
love and to be loved. A Peace “makers’” greatest desire
is unbroken fellowship, and they are unashamed about
wanting to restore that fellowship in the name of peace.
But what if the person you are seeking to restore
fellowship with doesn't want to be bothered with you
anymore - what do you do then?
I believe there is a reason why Jesus put this verse
where he did in the Be-attitudes. Look at the natural
progression as Jesus moves from verse 8…
- "Blessed are the pure in heart - for they shall
see God" (v.8)
- "Blessed are the peacemakers - for they shall be
called the Children of God" (v.9) and finally…
- “Blessed are they which are persecuted for
righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of
heaven." (v.10)
Jesus knew what was to come. He was preparing his
disciples, as well as you and I even now for the
"persecution" we will receive... “for righteousness’”
sake.
Let's face it. There are people who are not going to
like you just because you’re a Christian! They're not
going to like you because of your denomination or your
message. But mainly, they're not going to like you
because your countenance and your demeanor is alive! If
you’re “in Christ” you've been forgiven and have
experienced the joy of forgiveness. Nothing can compare
with that!
Lastly, people are not going to like you because
"having a pure heart" means "maintaining" and "guarding"
it from the filth of the world that likes to creep in,
and when you choose not to listen to that off-color
adult humor – it puts them under conviction. Their
"response" then will most likely be that of darkness and
misery and pain. more than likely their response will
offend you or even hurt you making you to want to lash
back. But think of it... how many of us would watch a
wounded bird just lay on the ground and suffer? It is
out of just such compassion that helps us see that they
are living in their darkest hour, and that we may be the
only “witness” they will ever have pass their way.
Remember... it is our actions as Christians that
"brand us" as "children of God" or one of the crowd. And
even Jesus said in John.15:20...
"Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant
is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted
me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my
saying, they will keep yours also." (KJV)
While our Christian walk reproves and condemns the
wicked practices of others; they are often astounded
when they see that though we are abused… we still have
the JOY of the Lord in our heart. But if they knew what
we know - they would want that JOY too. For those of us
who have moved from darkness into "the Light" of the
Lord - knowing the end of it all, we know that we,
"...shall see God", and that after it's all said and
done, "...ours is the kingdom of heaven". (ref., vs.8,
10)
Let's pray,
Father: Give me the mind of Christ today. Help me to
be a peace “maker” and a true witness of the Joy of The
Lord – even amidst persecution. In Jesus’ Name, I Pray,
Amen.
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