Peacemakers Series

Intro

We come today to the 7th Beatitude found in Matthew 5:9: “Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God.”i We are approaching the pinnacle of this list of attributes that bring blessing on a person’s life. Everybody wants to be blessed. But not everybody is willing to take the pathway to blessing that Jesus presents in this teaching. In Isaiah 30 God confronted his people for going to Egypt which is symbolic of the world for guidance and help. He warned them that strengthening themselves in that way would not end well. Then he talks about the restoration that he would bring to his people in the latter days. The blessing would come as they turned from the ways of Egypt to the ways of God. The blessing would come as they embraced God’s instruction and walked in his ways. In Isaiah 30:21 he said to his people, “Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it.’”

In these Beatitudes Jesus is saying to his people, “This is the way, walk in it.” The Beatitudes are profoundly important because they reveal to us the way we should live as Christians. They reveal to us the pathway to blessing. Living in God’s blessing is not just a matter of asking for provision and favor. It includes that. But it requires aligning ourselves with the ways of God. It requires submission to the way God’s kingdom operates. With each of these Beatitudes, Jesus pronounces a specific blessing.

I. The BLESSING PRONOUNCED in this Beatitude: “For they shall be called sons of God.”

They shall be recognized as the true children of God. God is the ultimate peacemaker. As they function as peacemakers, they reflect his nature and give evidence that they are really his children. Proof of their identity is demonstrated through their actions.

It’s a delightful thing for parents to see their own mannerisms and tendencies in their children. Facial expressions may be similar. The way they walk may be similar. One of our elders in Iowa has a very scientific mind. As his sons matured, you could see the same pattern of thought. Like father, like son. When God’s children operate as peacemakers, they are reflecting their Heaven Father’s nature.ii

Often in the New Testament, God is referred to as the “God of peace.”iii The devil is the author of strife and confusion. He was a murderer from the beginning. But God is the great peacemaker. Strife and contention are evidence of a fallen nature operating in rebellion against God.

In John 8 the Pharisees were contending with Jesus. Jesus was calling them to repentance, but they were refusing to repent. They were claiming to have no need for repentance because they were Abraham’s children. Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham's children, you would do the works of Abraham” (John 8:39). In other words, you would reflect his characteristics in your actions. They were trying to kill Jesus. That murderous intent was not in alignment with who Abraham was. Then in verse 41 Jesus said to them, “You do the deeds of your father.” The proof is in the pudding. Your behavior betrays your true nature. Furthermore, Jesus said to them, “You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning” (verse 44). The desire of our Heavenly Father is peace. He is the God of peace, not strife and murder. His children are peacemakers, not troublemakers.

There are six or seven Greek words that can be translated child or son. Each one carries a little different nuance. The Greek word in our text is huios. It is often translated son because it stresses the dignity of the relationship. The Greek word paidion indicates a little or young child. For example, Hebrews 11:23 uses this word in reference to Moses when he was an infant. Paul uses the word metaphorically in 1 Corinthians 14:20 to refer to immature Christians. Paidion focuses on the immaturity of the child. The Greek word teknon “gives prominence to the fact of birth.” Paul uses that word in Ephesians 5:1 when he writes, “Therefore be imitators of God as dear children.” You have been born of the Spirit, so behave accordingly. So, in Matthew 5:9 the Greek word is stressing “the dignity and character of the relationship.”iv They shall be honored as the true sons of God.

What does it mean to be “called sons of God”? Martin Lloyd-Jones says, “Called means ‘owned.”v God will own them as his children. The pure in heart will be able to see them as God’s children. Their behavior gives evidence to all that they are God’s true sons.vi

According to Romans 8, that sonship indicates astounding privilege. Look with me at Romans 8:14-17.