DAY 13 – A Matter of the Heart | Lesson by Chaplain Delores Epps | 21-Day Devotional on Jesus’ Beatitudes and Sermon on the Mount
A Matter of the Heart 
Lesson by Chaplain Delores Epps
Matthew 5:9 (ESV) "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God."
Matthew 5:9 (ESV) "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God."
If you are a Christian, you are called to be a peacemaker. It is not our idea. It is Christ who compels us. The admonition to "go and be reconciled…” (Matthew 5:24) is the call to reflect the very heart of God in our lives. The Gospel is the greatest message of peacemaking.
We are reconciled to God through Christ. The Gospel is our foundation for reconciliation with other people. God is the author of peace. and Jesus is the ultimate peacemaker or as stated in Isaiah 9:6 "the Prince of Peace."
Peacemaking is a work in progress, it is difficult, complicated, and often painful. It takes time and effort. However, knowing we have Holy Spirit present with us at all times will give us strength and enable us to meet the challenges we face. We are motivated and encouraged to "Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bon of peace." Ephesians 4:3.
What is this peace that Christ compels us to live? In the Hebrew language it is the word shalom, meaning everything which makes for man's highest good. Peace that can also be defined as total or complete well-being, both personally and communally.
Is peace always possible? No. Are there situations and circumstances where shalom might not exist? Yes. In Romans 12:18 Paul wrote, "If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all." Even though situations might not end peacefully, as disciples of Christ, we must always strive for peace. It is the direction in which we should be headed.
As Christ-followers, we need to be mindful of these words from Ephesians 6:12 "We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil…"
A peacemaker is one who has come to a place of inner peace and has united with God to bring others to this end.
• Follow THIS LINK (or copy/paste) to a resource from Zondervan Academic: https://zondervanacademic.com/blog/beatitudes
• Follow THIS LINK (or copy/paste) to the web version of Barclay's Commentary on the New Testament: https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/dsb.html
• THIS LINK is a downloadable PDF of Barclay's Commentary
We are reconciled to God through Christ. The Gospel is our foundation for reconciliation with other people. God is the author of peace. and Jesus is the ultimate peacemaker or as stated in Isaiah 9:6 "the Prince of Peace."
Peacemaking is a work in progress, it is difficult, complicated, and often painful. It takes time and effort. However, knowing we have Holy Spirit present with us at all times will give us strength and enable us to meet the challenges we face. We are motivated and encouraged to "Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bon of peace." Ephesians 4:3.
What is this peace that Christ compels us to live? In the Hebrew language it is the word shalom, meaning everything which makes for man's highest good. Peace that can also be defined as total or complete well-being, both personally and communally.
Is peace always possible? No. Are there situations and circumstances where shalom might not exist? Yes. In Romans 12:18 Paul wrote, "If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all." Even though situations might not end peacefully, as disciples of Christ, we must always strive for peace. It is the direction in which we should be headed.
As Christ-followers, we need to be mindful of these words from Ephesians 6:12 "We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil…"
A peacemaker is one who has come to a place of inner peace and has united with God to bring others to this end.
REFLECTION QUESTION:
How are you doing as a peacemaker?
ACTION ITEMS BASED ON TODAY'S LESSON:
How are you doing as a peacemaker?
ACTION ITEMS BASED ON TODAY'S LESSON:
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RESOURCES:
• Message by Dr. Tony Evans, "Blessed Are the Spiritual Beggars" (Matthew 5:3)
https://go.tonyevans.org/tony-evans-sermons/blessed-are-the-spiritual-beggars
• Message by Dr. Tony Evans, "Blessed Are the Spiritual Beggars" (Matthew 5:3)
https://go.tonyevans.org/tony-evans-sermons/blessed-are-the-spiritual-beggars
• Follow this link to a resource on the Beatitudes from BibleGateway:https://www.biblegateway.com/blog/2022/08/what-are-the-beatitudes-why-are-the-beatitudes-important/
• Follow THIS LINK (or copy/paste) to a resource from Zondervan Academic: https://zondervanacademic.com/blog/beatitudes
• Follow THIS LINK (or copy/paste) to the web version of Barclay's Commentary on the New Testament: https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/dsb.html
• THIS LINK is a downloadable PDF of Barclay's Commentary
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