James 3:17-18 tells us, “But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.” Blessed are the peacemakers as Matthew 5 says! What are peacemakers and how can we strive to be better peacemakers in all we do?
Merriam Webster defines peacemakers as, “One who makes peace especially by reconciling parties at variance.” A peacemaker is not someone who simply stays quiet when others do not, although that can be helpful as well. A peacemaker is someone who actively tries to restore and reconcile the parties. The look to see how the bridge between the two can be healed. They actively pray for restoration. They go before the throne of God on behalf of reconciliation. It is of utmost importance to them. They do not show favoritism toward one party, but are instead sincere toward both. They are full of mercy. They have the very attributes of Jesus.
Have you known a person such as this? Are you a peacemaker? Think about the attributes listed in these two passages and spend some time in prayer. Ask God to make you more like Jesus, the ultimate peacemaker.