Peacemakers Needed How Do I Become One

White dove in forefront of dark blue sky in front of a cross with other birds in the distance — [Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay]

Those watching television news would find it hard to conclude we live in a peaceful world. The war in Ukraine drags on. Gaza sits in a sea of rubble. Government forces in the Democratic Republic of Congo clash with antigovernment rebels. The fighting in the US remains a never-ending war of words between the political parties. Divisiveness and conflict reign. Peace is an abstract concept and an elusive goal. Peacemakers are needed. Believers should be asking themselves, “How do I become one?”

What’s Peace?

Even the word “peace” presents an issue. Typically, people think of peace in terms of a lack of conflict like a war. But just because the US may not be on the giving or receiving end of missiles and bombs doesn’t mean peace prevails in this country. Hostilities can take the form of rhetoric and insults making the atmosphere tense with an us versus them mentality common.

Looking back to the origin of the word “peace” provides a clue as to the correct way to view it. Ultimately deriving from the Latin word pax, the term means “peace, compact, agreement, treaty of peace, tranquility, absence of hostility, harmony.” This definition indicates two components make true peace. The lack of hostilities or violence comprise one prong while the second requires the presence of harmony. Meeting such a definition is a tall order. Can it even be done?

Peace In Today’s World

Many religions and philosophies claim peace as a basic tenet. Further, a stated aim of the United Nations, an international organization founded after World War II with 193 countries currently members, is to achieve world peace. With that foundation, the world should be awash in doves and olive branches, common symbols of peace. But it isn’t. Not even close.

Hand reaching up to touch an olive branch off of which olives are hanging — An olive branch may be a useful tool for needed peacemakers [Image by lesia_design from Pixabay]

The Global Peace Index provides the world’s leading measure of global peace. Compiled by international think tank Institute for Economics and Peace, the index takes into account twenty-three indicators from countries accounting for 97% of the world’s population. These indicators include political instability and internal conflict, which are two of the major factors undermining global peace. The 2024 Global Peace Index reveals deterioration of most indicators of peacefulness over the past two decades.

Peace Or Lack Thereof

Iceland takes the number #1 spot for most peaceful country in the world in the 2024 Global Peace Index. That cold country has held the top ranking for 17 years in a row. It attained #1 status in 2008, when the index began, retained the spot continuously.

On the bottom of the scale sits Afghanistan which held the unwanted distinction as the least peaceful country in the world for six years. In 2024’s Global Peace index, however, Sudan, South Sudan, and Yemen surpassed it. Wars in Gaza and Ukraine also contribute negatively to the world’s peacefulness measure.

Snow covered street in residential neighborhood with street light on and cars buried in snow — Are peacemakers needed in Iceland, the most peaceful country in the world per the 2024 Global Peace Index? [Image from Wikimedia Commons]

Peacemakers Needed – What Is One?

Clearly some parts of the world need peacemakers more than others. But what exactly is a peacemaker? By inclusion of the word “maker” in the compound word, no doubt exists that action is required. Peacemaking isn’t a passive activity. Specifically, a peacemaker works to bring God’s peace to mankind and to bring peace between people. This individual could serve as a mediator between two parties in conflict. However, working to achieve peace might entail situations in which the peacemaker himself stands as a party to a conflict whether as victim or offender.

When learning about a topic, having an example facilitates understanding. For peacemaking, Jesus provides the best example of a peacemaker. His role in coming to Earth was to make a way for man to reconcile with God. Isaiah famously referred to the expected Messiah as the Prince of Peace in Isaiah 9:6.

Jesus’ Sermon: Peacemakers Needed

Not only did Jesus serve as the perfect example of a peacemaker, but he mentioned this role in His Sermon on the Mount. The first part of that sermon contains what believers call The Beatitudes or The Blessings. Jesus’ words Matthew 5:9 expressed a blessing on peacemakers who would be called children of God. Jesus wanted His followers to “be” in the business of peacemaking.

Jesus noted peacemakers were needed in His Sermon on the Mount [Image from Wikimedia Commons]

Ways To Become A Needed Peacemaker Between Man And God

Man needs to be reconciled with God and at peace with God. Nonbelievers are not in this position. Thus, a great way to become a peacemaker is sharing the Good News with them. The Great Commission of Mark 6:15 commands disciples “go” into the world to share. Even if sharing doesn’t immediately lead to salvation, a step toward peace when an individual obtains information about how to achieve reconciliation with God.

Regularly praying for someone needing salvation serves as another action step. The prayers of the righteous are effective and powerful as James 5:16 tells us. If progress towards peace might occur from your prayers, why wouldn’t you pray?

Ways To Become A Needed Peacemaker Between Humans

Conflict between humans escalates when walls come up. An us versus them mentality sets in. People see the wall but not the person behind it it. Would you be more likely to see and interact with someone who smiles at you? It takes little effort and time to produce a smile, but who know where that could lead? Peace may just start with a smile.

Pour water, not gasoline, on fires. The gasoline of a harsh answer grows a fire, but the water of a soft answer reduces flames as Proverbs 15:1 states. Escalating a situation leads to less, not more, peace. So avoid both a harsh answer and becoming angry quickly. Think before you speak. Will speaking or acting in anger lead down the road to peace? If a conflict exists, resolve it. Take the step to make peace by reaching out and perhaps even apologizing since it takes two to have an argument. What’s more important–your pride or pursuing peace as Jesus wanted? As Paul instructs in Romans 12:18, do all you can to achieve peace.

Filling The Need For Peacemakers

The world is anything but peaceful. People need both reconciliation with both God and their fellow man. Peacemakers are needed to actively pursue the goal of peace, one requiring both lack of violence and the presence of harmony. Jesus, the ultimate peacemakers, encouraged His followers to actively work as peacemakers. How can they do that? Start with a smile, pray for your fellow man, control your anger and your tongue, and resolve existing disagreements. Those who do will be blessed and called a child of God.