Blessed are the Peacemakers

Yesterday during my personal study of the Word, I had a startling revelation on Matthew 5:9 ("Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God). Previously when I read this verse, I always thought blessed are the peacemakers in the sense of conflict mediation between nation-states and people. But I believe God revealed to me yesterday how it goes much deeper than that. This is because God Himself is in the business of making peace (see 2 Corinthians 5), for He reconciled us to Himself through the blood of His Son Jesus, thus satisfying His just wrath on sin. Thus as Romans 5:1 says, "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ..." So since we have peace with God as believers, we go forth as peacemakers, to lead others to God (i.e. evangelism and discipleship. Thus, as an aspiring missionary, then, I carry the title of "Peacemaker," for I go to a place that is hostile to the Lord and His kingdom, and by making disciples by God's grace, bring peace not only to people individually, but whole communities and cities and hopefully the entire country to peace with God).
Whereas previously we were at war with God in the flesh, now we have peace with God the Father because of the sacrifice of His Son, and now we live in the power of the Holy Spirit, so we no longer have to satisfy the desires of the flesh that war against God. Now that we are no longer at war with God, there is no condemnation for us who are in Christ Jesus. Since we are at peace with God (and this is what really set me free), GOD IS NOT MAD AT US! So often because of my sin I feel condemned, guilty, and completely out of favor with God. I try to chastise myself through guilt, as if seeking a righteousness of my own aside from God. But really this line of thinking is blasphemous! It is completely against God in that it makes the blood of Jesus that was shed on the cross look like Hawaiian Punch. It's me saying that the blood of Christ is insufficient to cleanse me, therefore I must gain God's good graces by my actions. Although I don't say it out loud, this is the underlying belief that my actions dictate. The truth of the matter, however, is that all of my works are as filthy rags before Him (Is. 64:6), and it is, "...by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast."(Ephesians 2:8-9). So my brothers and sisters-in-Christ, walk in light of the grace you have been given - a marvelous peace with God - and no longer judge or condemn yourself , but humbly come back to the Lord in sincere repentance and with a thankful heart knowing that, "Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."!!!!!!!!!
P-R-A-I-S-E- T-H-E -L-O-R-D!!!!!!!!!!