Leading The Way - Week of February 14
The Peacemakers
By Michael Youssef, Ph.D.
Even though our sins and trespasses were paid for on the cross, our sin still grieves the Holy Spirit, which is why we must continually remember our poverty of spirit and mourn our sin. We must seek to remain pure in heart and wholly devoted to the Lord so that we can be peacemakers (see Matthew 5:9). Jesus’ order of these two beatitudes is significant. Peace will not come until there is purity. Why? Because God’s way of permanent peace is through purity, not compromise. Conflict cannot be truly resolved without the Truth exposing sin and leading us to righteousness. Only then can we have peace that lasts.
And oh, what a peace! Godly peace transcends understanding; it’s abundant and overflowing so that we are able to pour it into the lives of others. That’s what being a peacemaker is all about—being able to give away the peace we have already received.
At one time, we were all enemies of God, in rebellion against our Creator and His perfect, holy, and good will. But Jesus reconciled us to God through His blood shed on the cross. It is only by that blood that we have peace with God and the peace of God. When we enjoy a restored relationship with God and impart His peace to those around us—when we are peacemakers—we reflect our heavenly Father and show ourselves to be His children, the apple of His eye.
Prayer: Father, as I pursue purity and righteousness, may I bring true peace to those You put in my path. Help me to lead others to restored relationships with You and with other people. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9).
Learn more in Dr. Michael Youssef’s sermon Happiness Is in You, Part 7: LISTEN NOW
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Watch Dr. Michael Youssef on this week's broadcast of Leading The Way at LightSource.com.
