The virtues of Christian Character

The importance of being a Peacemaker

Since 3600 BC, the world has known only 292 years of peace! During this period there have been 14,351 wars, large and small, in which 3.64 billion people have been killed. The value of property destroyed is equal to a gold belt around the world 97.2 miles wide and 33 feet thick. Since 650 BC, there have also been 1,656 arms races, only 16 of which have not ended in war. The remainder ended in the economic collapse of the countries involved. Peace is a very precious and very rare commodity.

We have been called to be peacemakers not warmongers or troublemakers! Your strength of Christian character will determine whether you will promote peace, or cause strife and division in order to satisfy your selfish desires. God’s word says, "Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God" [Matthew 5:9].

When the heavenly host announced the birth of Jesus they joyously proclaimed, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men" [Luke 2:14]. Therefore, from the very start, it was evident that the securing and establishing of peace, and the promotion of peace, were the primary reasons for Jesus coming. And He paid the necessary price for our peace to be acquired legitimately. Isaiah 53:5 "The chastisement of our peace was upon Him."

Peacemakers are those who impart peace to others. Peacemakers are those capable of reconciling parties who are in opposition to each other. Peacemakers will always create a state of harmony in personal, business or national relations. Peacemakers will ensure freedom from all kinds of oppression.

If you have yielded to the authority of the Prince of Peace, and He rules in your life and in your heart, you automatically display that heaven-born peace that came to you in three different ways:

You received peace with God - Romans 5:1 [being reconciled to Him]
You received peace from God - 1 Corinthians 1:3
You received the peace of God - John 14:27

Yet without controversy – “What you received you can also give away!” What are you doing with the peace you received?

Chris Demetriou, 07/06/2010