Matthew 5:9: "Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
Isaiah 59:8: "The way of peace they know not."
Men, peacemaking is very much part of God's heart. Peacemaking identifies the real children of God. Jesus Christ who is the Prince of Peace said so himself. The doctrine of peace is a major subject throughout all of Scripture.
The headline breaking news on TV is anything but peace. It seems that the whole world is full of crime, bloodshed, corruption, stress, and enmity. Many of our cities are experiencing a much greater increase in murder and violence. We live in a time of ever-increasing lawlessness and police are hard pushed to know how to handle it.
Much of what is happening in our streets can be traced back to homes where children have not been taught the biblical values that make for peace. Isaiah 59:8 states: "The way of peace they know not: and there is no judgment in their goings: they have made them crooked paths: whosoever goeth therein shall not know peace."
This nation, like many other nations in the world, is in desperate need of God-fearing fathers and mothers who will both live and teach "the way of peace." Somehow, with all our getting of material things and cramming our heads full of all types of knowledge, we have completely missed the knowledge of the way of peace.
We know how to fight and make war. We know how to tear our families apart. We know how to criticize and beat each other up with hurtful words. And we know how to divide and split our families and churches. How can we call ourselves the children of God when we do not know how to be peacemakers?
Be encouraged.
Colin Campbell