Peacemakers & Piecemakers

By John Andrew Reasnor - Posted at Kingdom & Abolition:

“Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. For from now on in one house there will be five divided, three against two and two against three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”
Luke 12:51-53

There is often tension to be found in scripture. The heart of wisdom is simple and beautiful, but sometimes the details get messy and confused. This is exceptionally clear when considering Biblical peace and Biblical division.

There’s something to be said about men who are natural peacemakers. That is a very admirable and Christ-like quality. They diligently seek understanding, repentance, forgiveness, and a Biblical true peace. This is not only an admirable quality, it is a necessary one for any Christian, but most necessary for Christian leaders who have respect and influence. We make mistakes. We don’t communicate well. We assume things about one another. So for the furthering of the Kingdom of God, and for the esteem of the name of Christ Jesus, it is vital that true peace is something we strive for.

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”
Matthew 5:9

Because there is always another ditch on the other side of the road, we must be very wary of false peace, and the men who encourage and justify false peace. This is a hidden and duplicitous ditch. The man who appears to most to be a gentle peacemaker, but is truthfully the man who does not treat sin as a man of God should treat sin, he is rarely if ever rebuked. He is loved by all. He has many friends. He likely has the “right” friends. He enjoys all the respectful greetings in the marketplace (or online pub). He has a popular podcast that caters to a wide Christian audience. Everyone thinks he’s such a nice guy. All praise him for his peacemaking, while in truth a festering sin is corrupting all that is around him.

Read more here.