Blessed: When we learn to cooperate with God
by Jon Walker
Happy are those who work for peace; God will call them his children! Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. —Matthew 5:9
“The followers of Jesus have been called to peace. When he called them they found their peace, for he is their peace.” —Dietrich Bonhoeffer
The peace of Jesus transcends our understanding. It is a peace based on our confidence in God’s Word; forged in his forgiveness and strengthened by the heart of a Father. Jesus goes before us, guiding us down the path of peace through the narrow gate into the kingdom of heaven. (Philippians 4:7; Luke 1:79; Proverbs 3:5–6)
But Bonhoeffer notes the disciples are also called to work for peace, enduring suffering rather than inflicting it and maintaining fellowship when others might break it off. We’re called to help others make peace with God, and then help them make peace with each other.
We do this by entering their lives with divine love flowing through us in the same way that Jesus entered our lives: with an aggressive love that would not stop until we made peace with the Father.
“You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family.” (Matthew 5:9 Msg)
