Let's face it, we all want to live a blessed life and be truly happy. Our forefathers envisioned a country where every citizen had the right to "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness". Politicians often talk about the "American dream", but I haven't heard anyone define it. I suppose they have in mind that we all can own our own home, drive nice cars, wear nice clothes, have a well-paying job with security, plan for a long and enjoyable retirement, have good health-care from the cradle to the grave, etc. Unfortunately, those things do not make one happy. Many have all the afore-mentioned things, and are very unhappy.

One of the most well-known sermons in the Bible is the Sermon on the Mount, preached by Jesus , and is recorded most thoroughly in Matthew's gospel, chapters 5-7. The first word of His message is "Blessed", which means having 'divine joy and perfect happiness'. I suppose most everyone would like to have divine joy and perfect happiness, but most people are busy pursuing happiness in all the wrong places! Few are looking and listening to Jesus for the way to genuine joy. What about you? Are you doing your own thing, or are you following the formula that Jesus gave us?

In this article, I'd like to 'zero in' on one of the eight ingredients for a truly God-blessed life. In Mt. 5:9, Jesus said, "Blessed are the Peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God". One of the keys to a life that is blessed by God and filled with gladness, is to be a peacemaker. The Bible tells us that Jesus Christ, the Son of God came so that we could have peace with God and one another. II Cor. 5:18 says, ..."God has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation". Jesus is a peacemaker, and those who know and follow Him must also be peacemakers. As we pursue peace with God and men, God will bless us and people will call us "sons of God".

At the outset of 2007, we identified 3 main goals for Calvary Baptist Church, and notice with me how peacemaking helps to accomplish those 3 objectives.

• Peacemaking Exalts the Savior- Jesus said that peacemakers shall be called the "sons of God". In the pursuit of peace, we follow in the footsteps of Christ and bring glory to our Heavenly Father. Later in the same sermon, Jesus said to "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven", (Mt. 5:16).
• Peacemaking Edifies the Saints- The apostle Paul wrote to the believers, ÒTherefore let us pursue the things which make for peace, and the things by which one may edify anotherÓ, (Rom. 14:19). Conflict come very naturally our human nature. Peace, on the other hand, must be made. It takes self-denial and hard work, but by the grace of God, we can build up or edify one another by "endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace", (Eph. 4:3).
• Peacemaking Evangelizes the Sinner- Scripture says, "Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God", (II Cor. 5:20). After being reconciled to God by faith in His Son, we then are to take this message to a war-torn, strife-filled world. Years ago I remember seeing a bumper sticker that said, "No Jesus, no peace...Know Jesus, know peace"!! What a blessing!

In recent months, I've been especially blessed by a promise Jesus left with His followers..."These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world", (John 16:33). It's so good to know that even in a world full of conflict, we can have peace that passes understanding and help others to have it too!

At Calvary Baptist Church, we are sincere and serious about Biblical peacemaking. In fact, we adults are going to be studying this for the next six months (Sept.- Feb.) all together in a special class taught by our pastor and deacons. We invite all adults to join us in the CBC auditorium at 9:30 a.m. each Sunday. We have a textbook and workbook just for you, and encourage you to bring the most important book of all, the Bible. By God's grace, we will all soon be experiencing firsthand the truth that Jesus taught, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God".