Be-attitude #7

Peacemaking - wouldn't it be nice to live in a world of peace makers? Well, we don't. We live in a world of feuders. And it is not a 21st century thing. From Cain and Abel on, civilizations rise and fall because of fighting. Most people on the planet want peace. "Dude, seriously, I just saw a VW van plastered with peace signs run over a stray cat." Ok, not funny. But the point is, we want everyone to get along. Stop the fighting already. It is not accomplishing anything.
The peace that Jesus is talking about in Matthew 5 is not just getting along. It is internal peace. The kind that you can have only when you are not holding any grudges or bitterness. And the desire to see peace in every relationship and in every situation becomes a constant passion. Blessed are those who bring peace.
Somebody reading this will wish that I stopped right here, but I have to take it another step, maybe a leap for some.
Peace can only happen in my relationships if it first happens between me and God. There is a war, a spiritual war, that rages for the souls of mankind. The root cause of this war is personal sin. A holy God must punish those who fail His standard and we all fall far short of that. This same God also loves us and has provided an a substitute to stand in our place, to take the punishment we deserve. When we accept this generous offer, there is peace, ultimate peace.
The war is over, live like it!