PEACEMAKERS AIN’T PUNKS (YES, I SAID AIN’T)

In today’s American culture it seems people value so-called ‘strong words’ and confrontation rather than the controlled strength of meekness and making peace.

Do you know someone who has a passion for peace? Is it you?

Some people have an innate passion for conflict resolution. They are the uncelebrated heroes that hold, relationships, families, teams, organizations, causes, churches, and nations together. People celebrate soldiers…but not peacemakers. Jesus came to earth looking for a fight with the enemy….He came to establish peace between God and man.

1 Timothy 2:5 (ESV)
 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man[a] Christ Jesus,

Ephesians 2:14 (ESV)
For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility

Colossians 1:20 (ESV)
and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

This peace didn’t come easily. Peace is overtaken in chaos…

Mark 4:39 (ESV)
And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

Jesus commanded that “Peace Be Still!” in the midst of a storm. That’s God’s perfect example of what takes place in the spiritual realm when a peacemaker goes into action. Everyone knows one of the best ways to get hurt is to attempt to break up a fight. In fact, most people advise that one doesn’t get involved.

When I was growing up in rural West Tennessee, we had a phrase we would say to prove we weren’t afraid…I AIN’T NO PUNK! The incorrect grammar was intentional for affect. “AREN’T PUNKS,” just didn’t seem as convincing to us.

Real peacemakers ain’t punks!

Real peacemakers ain’t afraid of fights…

Some real peacemakers look for fights.

Jesus confronted and was confronted by His family (John 7:5), the establishment/religious leaders (Matthew 25), his hometown (Mark 6:4), the government (John 19:11) and Satan himself (Matthew 4:1-11) to establish peace between God and us. Clearly, Jesus was (is) no PUNK.

Jesus left His peace, and His power for us…

John 14:27 (ESV)
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

And, Jesus promised a special blessing for peacemakers.

Matthew 5:9 (ESV)

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

There’s a special anointing on those who are able to help others find common ground and resolve conflict. Those who can keep a cool head in the midst of chaos, conflict and crisis, and can maintain they’re composure when the parties who are fighting both, or all, turn on the peacemaker. But, did you catch that? If they ALL turn on the peacemaker…then he or she has gotten them to AGREE on something.

If you have a passion for peace, embrace it. If you’re the moral compass be strong. And, if that’s not you, be sensitive to those who are. They are the unsung heroes that God uses to command, Peace be still! Pray for them. Encourage them. And remember…they ain’t punks!

Remember…

MEEKNESS ISN’T WEAKNESS…

BE BLESSTIFIED!