Topical Bible: Peace: Blessedness of Promoting

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The concept of peace is central to the Christian faith, embodying both an inner tranquility and harmonious relationships with others. The Bible extols the virtues of those who actively promote peace, highlighting the blessedness that accompanies such endeavors.

Biblical Foundation

The Beatitudes, as recorded in the Gospel of Matthew, provide a foundational understanding of the blessedness associated with promoting peace. Jesus declares, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God" (Matthew 5:9). This pronouncement underscores the divine approval and familial relationship with God that peacemakers enjoy. By fostering peace, believers align themselves with God's character and purposes.

Old Testament Insights

The Old Testament also emphasizes the value of peace and the blessedness of those who pursue it. Psalm 34:14 instructs, "Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it" . This directive highlights the active nature of peacemaking, requiring intentional effort and a commitment to righteousness. The pursuit of peace is not passive but involves a deliberate turning from evil and a proactive engagement in good deeds.

Proverbs 12:20 further illustrates the joy and favor that accompany peacemaking: "Deceit is in the hearts of those who devise evil, but the counselors of peace have joy" . This verse contrasts the inner turmoil of the wicked with the joy experienced by those who counsel peace, suggesting that promoting peace brings about a deep-seated happiness and contentment.

New Testament Teachings

The New Testament continues to affirm the blessedness of promoting peace. In his epistle to the Romans, the Apostle Paul exhorts believers, "If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone" (Romans 12:18). This call to live peaceably reflects the transformative power of the Gospel, which enables believers to transcend natural inclinations toward conflict and strife.

James, the brother of Jesus, also highlights the wisdom inherent in peacemaking: "But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peaceable, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap the fruit of righteousness" (James 3:17-18). Here, peacemaking is associated with divine wisdom and righteousness, suggesting that those who promote peace are aligned with God's will and bear spiritual fruit.

The Role of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in empowering believers to promote peace. Galatians 5:22-23 lists peace as a fruit of the Spirit, indicating that it is a natural outgrowth of a life yielded to the Spirit's influence. As believers cultivate their relationship with the Holy Spirit, they are equipped to be agents of peace in a fractured world.

Practical Implications

Promoting peace involves both personal and communal dimensions. On a personal level, believers are called to cultivate inner peace through prayer, meditation on Scripture, and reliance on God's promises. This inner peace then extends outward, influencing relationships with family, friends, and the broader community.

Communally, the church is called to be a beacon of peace, modeling reconciliation and unity in a divided world. Ephesians 4:3 urges believers to "make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace" . This involves actively working to resolve conflicts, fostering understanding, and building bridges across divides.

In summary, the blessedness of promoting peace is a recurring theme throughout Scripture. Those who engage in peacemaking are not only aligned with God's character but also experience the joy, wisdom, and righteousness that accompany such efforts. Through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, believers are called to be peacemakers, reflecting the peace of Christ in their lives and communities.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Matthew 5:9
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Noble Results of this Species of Prayer
... Instead then of promoting idleness, we promote the highest ... ever saying, "Let us rest
in peace?" God Himself ... Did we but know the blessedness of thus hearkening ...
/.../guyon/a short and easy method of prayer/chapter xxi the noble results.htm

From his Return from Russia to his Last Journey.
... the need of a refuge in God, and the blessedness of the ... There is no peace to the
regenerated heart equal to a devotedness of life in promoting the extension ...
/.../chapter xx from his return.htm

Letter xxiv (Circa AD 1126) to Oger, Regular Canon
... of desperation, but which brings to us the hope of blessedness. ... to you, it will profit
me in promoting humility ... Even a fool when he holdeth his peace is counted ...
/.../some letters of saint bernard abbot of clairvaux/letter xxiv circa a d 1126.htm

Return to Benares.
... time a deeper realization of its greatness, blessedness, and final ... bent on honouring
his Master and promoting the good ... was good, they were at peace with each ...
/.../life and work in benares and kumaon 1839-1877/chapter xv return to benares.htm

Death of Martha Yeardley, and John Yeardley's Journey to Norway.
... and her pen were all employed in promoting the cause ... All seemed peace and bliss when
I glanced at the ... come to Christ and partake of the full blessedness of his ...
/.../chapter xviii death of martha.htm

Biographical Preface.
... most powerful means, therefore, of promoting what is ... in society, whereby are sacrificed
the peace and respectability ... torments of hell, and the blessedness of a ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bayly/the practice of piety/biographical preface.htm

George Muller, and the Secret of His
... word and deed a living witness to its blessedness. ... himself to the London Society
for promoting Christianity to ... of this period also in perfect peace, which is ...
/.../murray/with christ in the school of prayer/george muller and the secret.htm

Christian Graces.
... Her wings bespeak my faith, her songs my peace. ... life, and glory, that is lasting;
his blessedness will abide ... to the air, that they may be promoting their heady ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bunyan/the riches of bunyan/xviii christian graces.htm

The General Conference of 1820
... you, and crown you with the blessedness of contributing ... the bonds of the gospel of
peace, and the ... the Mite Society of Philadelphia, for promoting domestic and ...
/.../chapter 5 the general conference.htm

God's Restraining Power.
... in difficult given circumstances, for promoting one object ... but all is holy unity
and blessed peace. ... we are well assured, is that blessedness advanced, which ...
/.../selected sermons of schleiermacher/xii gods restraining power.htm