The church has largely ignored its role as the leader and solution to conflict. Sadly we have not seen biblical peacemaking inside the church, even amongst our own. Many are more familiar with the world’s peacekeeping strategies than with the Prince of Peace’s peacemaking strategy.  The world also has yet to see the church implement biblical peacemaking.   In fact the world is yearning to see it especially today.  

We have not fully demonstrated this divine concept and sustained peace across, racial, ethnic, cultural, denominational, social and economic lines within our congregations and cities.  Instead we as Christians largely adopt and follow the world’s plan of conflict resolution using “peacekeeping”.  It’s no wonder that the church gets the same unsuitable results that the world gets in conflict situations.

We avoid at all costs addressing the root source of our conflict which is the enmity.  We work to keep the lid on our tensions and differences; consequently our conflicts never really go away.  That’s why we have reoccurrences of the same conflicts and reconciliation failures in our nation, cities, society and churches and families.  But in this new season of change our failures must now change into successes.

A Change is Coming:  Peacemakers

Peacemakers help the aggrieved parties address the enmity between them and facilitate their forward move into a state of unity and transition from two to one; thereby causing the “natural” end of the enmity between the parties.

Jesus calls the basis of peace oneness and “one new humanity”.

Jesus gave us the pattern for peacemaking along with the authority to implement it.   Peacemakers facilitate the solution to conflict and wars.

Ephesians 2:15

15 By abolishing in His [own crucified] flesh the enmity [caused by] the Law with its decrees and ordinances [which He annulled]; that He from the two might create in Himself one new man [one new quality of humanity out of the two], so making peace.

The mystery and objective of  peace is for two to become one;  even the two who are in conflict. 

Peacemaking According to the Prince of Peace

Ephesians 5:29  For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church.

Jesus Christ has given the church the unique ability to become one.  He set forth the mystery of how to accomplish this using a marriage analogy.  God declares he hates it when we fail to use our ability to become one and instead foster our own separation as in when a husband and wife divorce.
Malachi 2:16

16“For the Lord God of Israel says That He hates divorce, For it covers one’s garment with violence, “Says the Lord of hosts. “Therefore take heed to your spirit, That you do not deal treacherously.”

No longer do we have hearts of stone unable to change our hearts and actions from fostering enmity.  But now we have hearts of flesh and our hearts can do and be free of enmity and be one new humanity together as Jesus and our Heavenly Father desires.

Are you a peacemaker?  Interested in becoming one?  We want to help you. Contact Us

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