We live in a world where peace feels elusive. Just turn on the news or scroll through your social media feed, and you’ll quickly realize that conflict, outrage, and division seem to drive the headlines. It’s as if peace isn’t just hard to find—it’s something people actively avoid.

But the reality is, as followers of Jesus, we’re called to something radically different.

In Matthew 5:8-9, Jesus says:

• “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.”
• “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”

These two verses flip the world’s values on their head. While the culture around us feeds on conflict and outrage, Jesus calls us to purity of heart and the hard work of peacemaking. It’s not just counter-cultural—it’s revolutionary.

What Does It Mean to Be Pure in Heart?

When Jesus talks about being “pure in heart,” He’s not just talking about outward actions. He’s pointing to something deeper. Purity of heart means a single-minded devotion to God, undivided by competing loyalties. It’s about what’s happening inside.

And here’s the most incredible promise: When your heart is pure, you will see God.

Here’s a truth that rocked me while preparing this message: If you feel distant from God, it could be that your heart has become divided. Life gets busy, distractions pile up, and before you know it, you feel like God is far away. But Jesus is clear—if you want to see God, it starts with a pure heart.

It’s not about being perfect. It’s about being intentional with what you allow into your mind and heart. Are you letting bitterness, anger, or distractions cloud your focus? Or are you making space to encounter God?

“When your heart is pure, you won’t just know about God—you’ll see Him in your life.”

The Hard Work of Being a Peacemaker

But Jesus doesn’t stop at the pure in heart. He goes further: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”

Let’s be real—being a peacemaker is hard work. It’s far easier to sit back and let conflict simmer or, worse, add fuel to the fire. But Jesus calls us to step into the mess and actively pursue peace.

Being a peacemaker requires courage. It’s not about avoiding conflict, and it’s definitely not about pretending everything’s okay when it’s not. Peacemaking means stepping into difficult conversations and situations with the goal of reconciliation and healing, even when it’s uncomfortable.

If we’re honest, most of us would rather avoid the tough conversations that peacemaking requires. I know I’ve been there. It’s tempting to ignore problems, hoping they’ll resolve on their own. But peace doesn’t happen by accident. It’s something we have to work for.

Peacemaking isn’t passive—it’s courage in action, stepping into conflict with the goal of healing.”

What Does Peacemaking Look Like?

Peacemaking isn’t just about keeping the peace—it’s about creating it. It’s about stepping into broken relationships and divided communities, and choosing to bring healing.

In a world that says, “Look out for yourself,” Jesus says, “Look out for others. Be the bridge. Be the healer.”

Where in your life do you need to be a peacemaker? Maybe it’s with your family, at work, or in your community. What if, instead of avoiding the hard conversations, you stepped into them with the goal of reconciliation?

Being a peacemaker means letting go of your need to win. It means valuing restoration over being right.

“Peacemakers don’t run from conflict—they walk into it with the power to restore and rebuild.”

Why It Matters

We can’t ignore the conflict around us. It’s everywhere. The temptation to react with anger or fear is strong, but Jesus is calling us to something better.

Here’s the truth: When we choose purity of heart and pursue peace, we won’t just experience peace for ourselves. We’ll see God move in ways we never imagined—in our relationships, our communities, and even in the toughest situations.

So, here’s the challenge: Where is God calling you to bring peace? Where is He asking you to step into your role as a peacemaker?

It’s not easy. But Jesus promises that it will be worth it. Because in making peace, we reflect God’s heart to a broken world, and we live fully into our identity as His children.

“Peace isn’t something we find—it’s something we create when we step into our identity as children of God.”

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Let’s Talk

Where have you seen God bring peace in your life? Or maybe you’re in a situation where peace feels impossible right now. I’d love to hear your story—drop a comment below, and let’s connect.

Content Based on the Message “The Power of Peacemaking” at Desert Vineyard Church on September 23rd 2024

*Notice: In preparing this post, I’ve used all the resources available to me, including some AI-assisted tools, to communicate more effectively. Ultimately, the heart of the message is one I’m deeply passionate about living out the Beatitudes in real-time. Blessings