"Blessed are the peacemakers:for they shall be called the children of God" (Matt. 5:9).

The mission of the children of God in this world has a character which far exceeds, we fear, the
measure of our intelligence, faith, and practice. There is a dignity_a moral beauty and
glory_connected with it which we too often fail to appreciate. This mission emanates from God
the Father; it partakes of His own moral attributes; it is the reflection, however feeble, of the
blessed Lord who was the perfect reflection of the divine glory. Every thought, every feeling of
His heart breathed the perfect rest, and rose to the height of the absolute purity and peace of the
Godhead. The beatitudes in Matthew 5 shine in all their divine perfectness in the lowly path of the
Son of Man_Emmanuel, God with us. And since He is our life, the features of His character
should be produced in us, by faith through the power of the Holy Spirit.

"Blessed are the peacemakers:for they shall be called the children of God." Observe, it is not they
who live in peace, walk in peace, or keep peace, that are crowned with the divine blessing, but
they who make peace_"peacemakers." The distinction is important, as many who have a
peaceable nature are the least qualified to make peace, and are in danger of being unfaithful for
the sake of peace. But peacemaking is quite another thing. It is the grace of the Lord Jesus in
blessed activity, pouring oil on the troubled waters_on the tumultuous passions of men. And this,
mark, without compromising the holiness of God, or saying, "Peace, peace," when there is no
peace. It may occasion much self-denial, much anxiety, much waiting on God, much disquiet to
one’s own mind. The peacemaker must be impartial; he must see that "mercy and truth meet
together, that righteousness and peace kiss each other." There must be truth as well as grace,
purity as well as peace. Time must be given for God to work:peace cannot be forced. But
wherever there is the smallest possibility, consistently with the holiness and truth of God, of
bringing peace into a scene of trouble and sorrow, the Christian should remember his privilege
and calling; and if in the scene, he should reckon upon God for guidance and blessing. "Blessed
are the peacemakers:for they shall be called the children of God."

But is every Christian, it may be asked, called to be a peacemaker? Every one has the grace and
the privilege of the grace in Christ Jesus for this blessed work, but all have not used it alike. The
quality or measure of grace necessary in a peacemaker depends upon his own state of soul in the
presence of God. Are the other features of the Lord’s character manifest, we would inquire? Is
he enjoying, for example, the blessedness of the preceding beatitude:"Blessed are the pure in
heart:for they shall see God." This is the divine preparation for a peacemaker. He must be right
with God Himself, and breathe the sweet peace of communion with Him.

The pure in heart are at peace with God through the precious blood of Christ. Cleansed from all
sin_whiter than snow_they see God and have learned much in the divine presence that fits them
for peacemaking. He who walks with God must live in the spirit of self-judgment_must judge all
that belongs to himself naturally, and thereby gain complete control over his own spirit, temper,
words, and ways. The pure heart is a peaceful heart, loves peace, and earnestly desires the peace
and happiness of others. Love rules in such hearts, and overflows in truest charity to all who are
in a condition to need the peacemaker. But sound spiritual judgment is necessary, it will be said,

in cases of dispute and discipline. Most true; but who so fit to judge spiritually as those who judge
themselves, and walk in the light as God is in the light?

But what shall we say of those who forget their heavenly mission of peace, and often cause
trouble? who, in place of being well shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace, and carrying
peace with them at every step, carry a spirit of fault-finding and contention? Few such there are,
we humbly trust; but troubles do arise, and the elements of discord must be at work. Yet this may
be done by a mistaken zeal for what is called truth and righteousness. With some minds, a mistake
is magnified into an offence; an inaccuracy of statement, into a deliberate falsehood; and different
things being put together, a grave charge is constructed and made against one who is unconscious
of his guilt. And both, up to a certain point, may be right, but who is to judge between them?

Oh, for a son of peace at such a moment! A little wisdom, a little patience, a little charity, a little
consideration of human infirmity, a little waiting on the Lord, might save the weak and satisfy the
scruples of the strong. There is no moral or doctrinal evil in the case, it is only a question of
apparent inconsistencies which some minds are too quick in censuring and others too slow in
detecting. But a little of that sweet peace brought down from the paradise above by the hand of
faith into our present imperfect state would be Christ-like, and would save us from many a
sorrowful heart and bitter tear.

But there is another class less excusable, who forget so far their peaceful mission as to manifest
no small disappointment if they suppose that their services are not appreciated. Displeased and
unhappy in themselves, they draw others into their sympathies. A party spirit is apt to spring up,
and sorrow must be the result. Wounded vanity, ministerial jealousy, will be found at the root of
all such troubles. What could be more sad than for a servant of the Lord to be more concerned
for his own importance than for the peace of his brethren? But self in some of its ten thousand
forms is the prolific source of all our troubles, both spiritual and social. Could we but sink self,
and care only for the Lord’s glory in walking worthy of that title_"They shall be called the
children of God"_all would be peace and love.

How unspeakably important, then, it must be for every believer to consider well this expression
of his character. What can make up for its absence? Nothing. He who sows discord from whatever
motive, in place of keeping and making peace, has missed his way as a child of God. True, a
Christian may be the occasion of much disquiet in certain circles through his faithfulness to Christ;
but that is quite a different thing. Satan may stir up many against him because of his
wholeheartedness for Christ. Indeed he may expect this, as our Lord says in Matt. 10:34, "Think
not that I am come to send peace on earth; I came not to send peace, but a sword." Still, he will
study to give no offence, and, if possible, take none. He will keep clear of strife and contention,
meekly suffer for Christ’s sake, and pray for the unbelieving and careless around him. The
assemblage of the beatitudes with which God has enriched him, should now shine forth in his life
and actions. A little prudence, a little patience and waiting on God may go far to silence the strife
of tongues, to calm the ruffled temper, to remove opposition, and to win hearts for Christ. None
of the Christian graces so distinctly reveals God in His children as this peacemaking spirit.

God is the great Peacemaker. This is what He has been doing, what He is doing, and what He will

do until peace is established for ever in the new heavens and the new earth. "Peace be unto you;
as My Father hath sent Me, even so send I you" (John 20:21). The true ground of peace between
God and man was laid in the great work of the cross. There God was glorified, and there His good
pleasure in men was manifested. Christ made peace by the blood of His cross; and when His
blessed work was finished, He returned to His Father, leaving behind Him the full blessing of
peace for His disciples. "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you; not as the world
giveth, give I unto you" (John 14:27).

What a legacy we have! Peace with God for ever! and nothing less than the sweet peace of our
Lord’s own mind in His Father’s presence. Such is our peace, our portion; and let us see that we
go forth as filled and clothed with peace, and that all our paths may indeed be paths of peace.