Peacemakers

Matthew 5:9 

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

Is being a peacemaker a good thing?

Yes!

God calls us to be peacemakers.

Philippians 2:13-16

For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.

God works in us! He helps us do good. He helps us to do all things without grumbling or complaining.

What does grumbling or complaining look like? It obviously can be verbally voicing our negative opinion, but it can be more than that as well. When we roll our eyes, huff and puff, etc., we are also grumbling and complaining. Stomping our feet as we walk away, slamming doors or drawers or shoving our way past others are also other ways of complaining.

We should also realize that peacemakers must be problem solvers. The Bible helps us here as well.

Matthew 18:15-17

Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

When you go to your brother to tell him his fault, you should discuss the problem calmly and encourage him to make the correct choice. You should probably speak using "I" statements such as, "I felt hurt when you . . ." or "What I heard you say was . . ." By using "I" statements, you avoid attacking the other person while explaining your point of view. You should always remember the golden rule as well.

Matthew 7:12 

Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.