Episode 27: Are you a peacekeeper or a peacemaker?

Advent Week 2: peace

This short 4-episode season is devoted to exploring the traditional themes of Advent. But the concepts will be applicable year-round.

Peace is the theme of the second week of Advent. And in this episode of the podcast, we look at the difference between being peacekeepers and peacemakers.

We will examine how the Biblical concept of peace is so much more than the absence of conflict. If you want to experience more peace in your circle of influence throughout the year, you need to become a peacemaker. This podcast will help you do that.

Here’s the topics we cover in today’s episode. The timestamps are given inside the brackets in case you want to refer back to a particular section. 

Listener Spotlight

[1:30]

Thank you to Missy D who left a review on iTunes to help others decide if the Agape SoulSpa will be worth listening to! Thank you Missy!!

I’m sending Missy a copy of my Bible study, Remaining in the Vine: Cultivating an Intimate Connection with Jesus in an Insanely Busy and Superficial World. (Missy, email me at laura@agapesoulspa.com and let me know where to ship your book!)

Want to be in the spotlight? Leave a review and I might pick you for a future episode. It’s super easy. Click here to see exactly how to post a review. You’ll be helping others find the podcast and I might feature you in a future listener spotlight! (And you might win a prize.)

Interact with Us in Our Private Facebook Group, The Oasis

[4:35] We’re kicking up the activities happening over in The Oasis, our private Facebook group where we get to engage with one another. This is where we take the discussion related to the podcast. You can post questions and I can respond ( either in the comments or on a FB Live). Click here to visit The Oasis. If you’re not yet a member, just click the “Request to Join” button and answer the questions. I’ll process your request and then you’ll be able to interact with us in the group.

Blessed are the Peacemakers

[5:30]

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus says, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” (Matthew 5:9).

What is peace?

[6:05]

Most people would probably say it is an absence of conflict or tension. The Biblical concept of peace includes that definition but also encompasses far more.

The Hebrew word for peace is shalom and carries the idea of a complex system of individual components working as one and being whole and complete. There was shalom in the Garden of Eden.

Sin fractures the wholeness and unity of Creation. It fractures our relationship with God. It fractures our relationship with ourselves. And it fractures the relationships we have with one another.

Sons of God

[8:40]

The expression “sons of…” doesn’t necessarily refer to being a descendant. It is a way of convey the idea that a lesser one is a representative of the greater one. And the lesser and greater share certain attributes.

So when Jesus says the peacemakers will be recognized as sons of God He is expressing the idea that peacemakers are bearing the image of God.

As Christ followers we express and embody the attribute of being peacemakers, just as God is a peacemaker.

The Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-11) give a picture of what it to be a son of God.

Peacekeeper versus Peacemaker

[11:37]

Consider the U.N. peacekeepers who are sent to a region in conflict. Their mission is to be a buffer between the parties in conflict. They are there to keep the warring parties from tearing each other apart.

However, they are not solving the underlying cause of the conflict.

Peacekeeping ignores the cause and treats the symptoms (active conflict). In our lives if we are engaging in peacekeeping, we don’t address the “elephant in the room” and address the problem in a way that restores wholeness and unity.

Peacekeeping covers up the cause of the problem; sweeps it under the rug. But the problem still exists and therefore the symptoms continue. There is no restoration, healing and wholeness.

[13:40]

Peacemaking acknowledges there is a problem, addresses the cause of the problem, and provides a solution that resolves the cause of the problem and restores wholeness and unity.

The First Advent Demonstrates Jesus as Peacemaker

Jesus is a peacemaker.

He acknowledged the problem of our fractured relationship with Him.

He addressed the cause of the broken relationship: our sin and our inability to overcome the problem ourselves.

He provided a solution to the cause: Jesus paid the wages of our sin; He died the death that our sin deserved. He didn’t cover up our sin, but He covered the cost of it. And in doing so, we now have a way to be reconciled with God. Our relationship with Him can be whole and restored because we can accept the sacrifice offered by Jesus and the righteousness of Jesus.

Jesus prayed in John 17:20-21:

“I do not ask on behalf of these alone [Jesus’ disciples with him the night he was arrested], but for those also who believe in Me through their word; that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.

And in John 14: 27, Jesus said:

Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.

This is what happens within us when we accept Jesus. Our hearts can be whole. We can rest in the peace Jesus provides us. The Holy Spirit within us settles our troubled hearts and calms our fear.

A Question for You

As you reflect on Jesus the peacemaker and our call to be peacemakers as image bearers of God…

What or with whom do you need to make peace?

  • Is there something about your past that you need to make peace with?
  • Is there something about your present that you need to make peace with?

I’ll have some posts in The Oasis, our private Facebook group about this podcast. Please leave a comment and share with me your answer to this question. If your answer is just too personal to leave in the comments, I welcome you to email me at laura@agapesoulspa.com.

This episode is brought to you by:

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