Peacekeepers Are Not Peacemakers

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


Who are the peacemakers? Well, let’s start by defining who they are not.


This verse doesn’t say: Blessed are those who sweep everything under the rug, for they shall trip over the hump.


Nor does it say: Blessed are those who live in denial, for this too shall pass.


And, it really doesn’t say: Blessed are the passive-aggressive who will ignore this but will ultimately get you in the end.


Peacekeepers are not peacemakers. When we think of military peacekeepers, we think of the United Nations Peacekeeping Forces. They are a presence in a region solely to maintain the peace. If they carry weapons, they are forbidden to use them. They are basically impotent in making peace, but if there is peace they can keep it.


Many of us are peacekeepers. We don’t want to rock the boat. We just want to have peace. We cling to peace to the point of avoiding or ignoring conflict. We avoid anything that interferes with our serenity. The problem is that avoidance and denial won’t keep the peace. Sooner or later, the situation will fall apart, and peace is nowhere to be found.


Peacemakers create peace. These are the folks that Jesus blessed. When there is strife and disagreement, peacemakers seek the other person out (Matthew 5:23-24; 18:15), and address the issue. They are “quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry” (James 1:19). Peacemakers try to see both sides of the issue and resolve the problem.


Peacemakers aren’t perfect. They aren’t always right. They believe that the relationship is more important than justifying themselves.


Peacemakers don’t avoid conflict. They enter it. Peacemakers have healthy boundaries. They don’t let other people trample over them. But, they don’t run over other people either. Peacemakers don’t insist on peace at any cost. Often they will give up their own freedom to create peace in a relationship.


The promise to the peacemakers is that they will be called the sons of God. Peacemakers are like Jesus. They don’t shy away from hard things, and they don’t cause unnecessary trouble.


Where do you need to make peace today? Who are you having a difficult time with? What is your first step toward making peace?


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