Peacemakers

James 3:18 NIV

"Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness."

What is peace?  What makes it significant in our lives?  Looking at the definition associated with this verse helps.  Peace is the tranquility a person has in their soul when they are assured of salvation through faith, and the contentment with one's lot in life.  So a peacemaker sows tranquility and contentment.  How is that done?

We begin by looking at the beginning of this chapter to find clues.  James tells his readers that one needs to tame the tongue.  The great strife creator or war-maker is the uncontrolled tongue.  If you cannot control your tongue, then you are not in control of self.  If you are not in control of self, then how can you be thinking about peace? 

Peace is contentment, and contentment is being centered, satisfied, fulfilled, and happy.  Your words will reveal if you are not content.  If you are pleased with your salvation, you will be content.  Christ said His peace, one that surpasses all understanding, is what He leaves in us.

Now look for the next clue in the preceding verse to ours for today:

James 3:17 NIV - "But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere."

If you have selfish ambitions, then you are not a peacemaker.   True peacemakers

• seek God's wisdom, 
• seek peace with love, 
• are considerate of the needs of others, 
• are submissive to righteous leadership (including government and of course God's direction), 
• seek to give mercy through good deeds because He is merciful, 
• are impartial (do not jump to conclusions or make rash judgments by hearing out all sides), 
• and are sincere ( we say and do it because we mean it).

There are many ways to be peacemakers, and the reward outweighs the cost.  God's kingdom is at stake.  Even more, a harvest of righteousness stands in the balance.

Isaiah 32:16-18 (NKJV) - Then justice will dwell in the wilderness, And righteousness remain in the fruitful field. 17 The work of righteousness will be peace, And the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever. 18 My people will dwell in a peaceful habitation, In secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places,

The harvest does more than quiet our hearts or our the hearts of our family.  The harvest works throughout the community in which we live and multiplies into the lives of others.  Right living becomes the standard of those who experience it. 

So, I leave you to begin changing your community today by starting with yourself.  May you experience great peace this Christmas week.