Matthew 5:9 – Walking in His Promises

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“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”

Matthew 5:9 (NIV)

When Matthew wrote this book, it was the start of the sermon on the Mount.  The sermon on the Mount is a collection of teachings of Jesus, found in the Gospel of Matthew.  It is mainly about moral teachings. It is the longest of the teachings of Jesus in the New Testament, and includes the Beatitudes.  My interpretation is it’s kind of a guide book for how we should be living as Christians. 

It was so counter-culture for it’s time and still is today.  It’s hard being a peacemaker today (I’m sure it was then too).  I really want to be a peacemaker and sometimes I am, but other times I find myself being part of the troublemakers.  I then have to check myself so I can come back around to being one of the peacemakers. Today’s America is all about division, and the devil loves this.  Republican/democrat, gay/straight, haves/have-nots, etc.  Our media is a toxic mix spewing hatred and division all day, all night.  I find that when we try to understand each other and speak to each other with respect, we can learn a lot from one another.  This might sound crazy to some but in my life some of the people I call friends don’t necessarily share my Christian views.  We can find a common bond with each other over certain things and we don’t have to hate each other just because we don’t agree on everything.  I feel like people are so sensitive nowadays.  I’m a 70’s baby, grew up in the 80’s and 90’s, and life was just different back then (boy I miss it).  This is why my mentality is so counter-culture to today’s PC world.  I find that people don’t necessarily like the truth and people can bend anything to fit their current agenda.      

Mark 3:24-26 (NLT)

“A kingdom divided by civil war will collapse. Similarly, a family splintered by feuding will fall apart. And if Satan is divided and fights against himself, how can he stand? He would never survive.”

This promise is one of several of the Beatitudes.  Each Beatitude tells how to be blessed by God.  Blessed means more than just feeling happy.  It implies the enviable state of those who are with our Father in Heaven.  The Beatitudes don’t promise fun, pleasure or money.  Being “blessed” by God means hope and joy, no matter what’s going on in our lives.  To find this hope and joy, we must follow Jesus no matter what it costs us here on Earth.  The Beatitudes also can be understood in these four ways:

  1. They are a code of ethics for disciples and a standard of conduct for believers.
  2. They contrast Kingdom values (eternity) with worldly values (temporary).
  3. They contrast the superficial “faith” of the Pharisees with real faith. 
  4. They show how Old Testament expectations will be fulfilled in the new kingdom. 

These are not a pick what you like and leave out the rest Beatitudes.  They describe how Christians should be living.  

That being said, we need more peacemakers today than ever.  So the next time you feel like adding gas to the fire, try something different. What if you tried to show some interest and compassion for someone you disagree with?  You might learn something that will make your opinion of that person change instantly.  You never know what the person next to you might have had to endure in this life that brought them into the place they are currently.  Show him/her the hope, joy and blessings God has shown you.  Remember Jesus is the answer to everything!

May God be with us,

Mundo

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