Blessed are the Peacemakers Pt. 2

Matthew 5:9 (NLT) God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.

As I have been thinking about peacemaking this week I keep thinking about how we fool ourselves into thinking we are peacemakers by not confronting someone who is doing wrong. Where we know we should “speak the truth in love” (Eph. 4:16) but we don’t.

Why?

We are afraid of harming the relationship.

A few years ago I started using this exercise. Plot all the Pros and Cons of speaking the truth in love.
Here are some examples:

Possible bad outcomes:

They could think you are judging them
They could end the friendship
They could get defensive
They could stop being open with you
You could be wrong

Possible good outcomes:

They stop the destructive behavior
They get right with God
They mature as a Christian.
You grow closer together
You obey God

It struck me that most of the possible negative outcomes are bad for me (the one speaking the truth) or for both of us. I also realized that any negative result was based solely on “their” choice of outcome. The positive outcomes, on the other hand, are good for all! Most of the positive outcomes are good for them and I think we would all agree that the positives out weigh the negatives.

This led me to the tough conclusion that the reason I don’t speak the truth in love is because I am selfish. I am too worried about preserving my friendship with someone who I don’t love enough to help.

Remember the Greek word for peace is from the root “to join”. Keeping silent and letting a fellow sister or brother in Christ sin is slowly letting our joining erode. It is also letting them continue to not be at peace with God.

If we hold our tongues in the group homes we fool ourselves into thinking it is to maintain the peace. After all we have to work closely together. But in reality, it will cause more disunity, strife and a lack of peace.

However, caution needs to be taken. Remember the truth is to be spoken “in Love”. We need to check our motives. If you are really excited to correct someone it probably isn’t prompted by love.

You also need to pick your battles. Is this a real issue or just a preference?

For the most part though I think we err on the side of caution or fear.

Lets not let fear prevent the true peace God wants to exist between His children and Himself.

Matthew 5:9 (NLT) God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.


Mark Wallace
Manager of Pastoral Supports