Matthew 5:9

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Matthew 5:9
The religion of Christ is based on truth. Jesus said, “You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free” (Jn. 8:32). Therefore truth, and especially knowledge of the truth, is critical to a child of God. But knowledge, though necessary, also has its dangerous side. Paul said, “Knowledge puffs up, love edifies.” In other words, a person can be doctrinally right, but if he does not use his knowledge in love, he has allowed his knowledge to lead him to arrogance. What good is knowledge unless it is used for the benefit and salvation of another?When Jesus says, “Blessed are the peacemakers,” he challenges us to go beyond simply being “right.” We cannot make peace at the cost of truth, but as far as it depends on us we must live peaceably with all men (Rom. 12:18). Many so-called Christians relish a fight. They love to win an argument and show people where they are wrong. They will go so far as to instigate divisions within churches, all the while claiming that they are “contending for the faith.” Even if it were proven that they knew the truth perfectly, is everyone else supposed to have grown to their level of “perfect knowledge” as quickly as they have? Where is the patience? Where is the love? Where is the attempt to resolve differences peaceably? And what makes you so sure you have the perfect truth? Such individuals are not contending for the faith but insisting on their own way and requiring everyone around them to conform to their personal standards.

Psalm 133:1 states, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” A peacemaker will do all in his or her power to make that happen. It will bring one to become like God and be called a child of God. Without being a peacemaker, we cannot live a life of blessedness.
Berry Kercheville