Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. (Matthew 5:9)
I love the good news, because among other things it is about bringing things together.
The thing about sin is that it brings death and everything leading to death which usually involves deterioration, division, dissolving and the degradation of that which was vibrant and wholesome. So at the basic level of two humans interacting, there is an initial defence, a barrier that establishes boundaries because trust and respect and love don’t come first and they don’t come easy if they come at all. Why is that? Because we’re flawed creatures only too prone to let the flaws damage things before it even gets the chance to blossom.
So we build barriers. Personal, cultural, ethnicity, language, age, financial, intellectual; from the deep to the petty we establish gateways and locked doors and demand people meet criteria before giving any trust and using the slightest infraction to reinforce walls.
This makes the gospel of Jesus Christ all the more profound. Even as He tore down barriers to give access to God for everybody who will believe, so He enables us to break down barriers. His Spirit in us allows us to be bridge-builders giving people a way to go from darkness to light, from distrust to harmony. His Spirit in us motivates us to consider those who oppose us as beneficiaries of the grace we have received.
That’s not just about what goes on interacting with the world. So much division in church is only resolved through peacemakers – bridge-builders. Not those who compromise holiness for acquaintances, but those who don’t use doctrine to alienate and be divisive. Bridge-builders encouraged by the prayer of Christ that wanted unity expressed through His disciples as a witness to the world.
It’s exciting being part of the good news that allows Arabs and Jews to see themselves as brothers and sisters. It’s exciting to be part of the good news that allows goths to see the light of God’s love and display that in their own sub-culture. It’s exciting to see believers recognising their part in the ministry of reconciliation and practising that in their offices, neighborhoods, business associations, homeless shelters, indeed wherever the darkness of sin sought to prevail those who shine the light builds bridges for people of all walks of life to be welcomed into God’s wide and diverse family.
That’s one of the reasons why I love the good news.
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
Life With CD 