The fact is, however, “peacemaking” is very personal. Indeed, who of us has not been relationally challenged to seek peace when “conciliation” would be so much easier? (Peacemaking can be messy!) Making it even more challenging, peacemaking only works if each party is seeking peace on God’s terms—unconditional surrender to His will. Is there a lesson for us here?
Placating will produce a fix, but only temporarily. Whether among nations or between best friends, placating will only “heal the hurt superficially, declaring ‘Peace, peace,' when there is no peace” (Jer. 6:14). Be on your guard; the antichrist will call himself a 'man of peace' (Dan. 8:25). But he will be a placator.
Good morning Greg,
ReplyDeleteCogent thoughts on the distinctions between placating and peacemaking. As has been noted before, Peace is not the absence of open hostilities. It goes much deeper than that and requires the reconciliation you stated. And peacemaking is risky. Anyone who has stepped in between two fighting dogs understands that.
If one views the beatitudes as a spiral staircase, then it makes sense that peacemaking is near the pinnacle, which is why those that do it well earn the appraisal of being called the sons of God.
It is one thing to be called a child because I was adopted into a family. It is quite another to be called a child because I am demonstrating the most honorable traits of that family.
Godspeed!
Larry Q