The Blessedness of Peacemaking and Persecution
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Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.
Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matthew 5:9-12 NIV) [see full text in button/link below]
Peacemakers and Persecution
More Christian believers have been martyred in the past century than in all the previous centuries combined.1 To some degree, this is due to an increased world population, but the greater reason is the growth and spread of Christianity throughout the world.
Most of these Christian martyrs were outside the Western world and Western worldview, except for the more recent publicized beheadings by ISIS terrorists. However, over the past two to three centuries, we’ve also seen a greater influence of Christian peacemakers.
Peacemakers are often social justice advocates for many issues. Some notable ones are—William and Catherine Booth and their daughter Evangeline of the Salvation Army, William Wilberforce in England, and the Quakers in America were abolitionists, pacifists, and peacemakers, along with many others such as Jonathan Edwards and William Finney.
More recent notable Christian peacemakers include—Amy Carmichael in India, Corrie Ten Boom and Dietrich Bonhoeffer in Germany, and Martin Luther King Jr. These are notable peacemakers, however, hundreds of thousands are unknown to most of us, but continue to work tirelessly for peace and social justice and bring the good news of the gospel with them.
Missionaries and mission organizations worldwide perform incredible peacemaking work for Jesus, yet often go unnoticed. I’ve written about a few of them I know personally, but have known and worked alongside many more.2
Insights
It’s interesting how the Lord puts peacemakers and the persecuted at the end of this list of nine Beatitudes. They might seem to be at opposite ends of the spectrum, but they are linked together in ways we may not realize.
Cultural trends change over time in somewhat cyclical ways. Governments and ruling leaders change, as do social norms regarding morality, ethics, and spiritual values. When Christianity is flourishing with a strong influence for good 3, history shows a lessening of oppression and poverty over time.4
But, as the strong influence of Christianity wanes, resistance and reaction move in the opposite direction and can bring persecution. But it’s cyclical. A rise of faith and peacemakers who bring about a change in culture and values often follows a surge in persecution.
Great assurances and promises are given to those who are bold peacemakers, as well as those who endure persecution for the sake of following Jesus and living upright lives. The Lord says both peacemakers and those persecuted are blessed as citizens of His kingdom.
Redefining the Nature of God’s Kingdom
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
The earmark of Christian peacemakers is to have the peace of God in them. Jesus promised His peace would remain in those who trusted in Him (John 14:27; 16:33). God’s peace anchors us (believers) because the Holy Spirit is living in us. Thus, God’s Spirit and peace in us flow out to influence the lives of others.
Peacemakers make peace because they have the Lord’s enduring peace. A peace characterized by harmony. Not just a lack of contention and strife, but a state of well-being in their soul.
All citizens of God’s kingdom are called to be peacemakers who pursue and promote peace—
Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another. Romans 14:19 NKJV
The pursuit and promotion of peace reflects the nature of whom we follow—Jesus, the Prince of Peace. Therefore, the Lord says these peacemakers will be called the children of God.
The effect and result of genuine peacemaking is “a harvest of righteousness” (James 3:18). It should be easy to know who God’s children are. They are those who pursue and promote peace in their relationships with others by living for Jesus.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Peacemakers should expect resistance, and this resistance may evolve into persecution. Why? Because of righteousness. Those who love darkness more than light resist and fight against righteousness.
Righteousness—honesty and integrity of character and in actions—exposes what is corrupt, deceitful, and selfish. When cultural bias swings to embrace darkness and deceit, persecution of the righteous will follow. But who would ever want to be persecuted?
God’s promise to those persecuted for righteousness is the same as those who are poor in spirit—theirs is the kingdom of heaven. They will not be forgotten or ignored, but honored.
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.
This is a very personalized Beatitude, directly related to our personal relationship with the Lord and others. When I find myself or hear others surprised and offended by those who mock Christians and the Christian faith, it shows how easily we forget what the Lord endured.
Christian believers who live out their faith among others, especially in any public arena, ought to expect criticism, insults, slander, and even persecution. But believers often ask, If we’re doing good and in God’s will, why should we meet opposition?
Jesus endured resistance from Jewish leaders throughout the gospels, and this increased towards the end of His public ministry. Later, Judas betrayed Him and His closest followers abandoned Him. Jesus foretold of His persecution and suffering and told His followers to expect the same opposition (John 15:18-21).
God’s Son and God’s spokespersons, the prophets, were mistreated this way. When arrested by the Jewish Council after performing a miracle and preaching the gospel, Peter and John rejoiced (Acts 5:41). What should our response be to insults, slander, and persecution? Not complaining or whining, but rejoicing!
Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Why should we rejoice and be glad when persecuted? When following Jesus is evident in our lives to others, we reflect Him to them. We ought to be thankful and honored by this, as the first followers of Jesus were.5
God promises that our reward will be great in heaven. Even when it seems that the difficulties of this life seem to go on forever, they are temporary. But they will pass as we persevere in our faith. God’s promises are eternal, and He will honor and reward our faithfulness to Him.
Are you one of God’s peacemakers?
If you are, rejoice and be glad, even when mistreated by others!
Reflection—
Great assurances and promises are given to peacemakers who endure persecution and those who follow Jesus and live upright lives. They are blessed as citizens of His kingdom who reflect His nature.
Prayer Focus—
When you are criticized or mistreated for following Jesus or upholding what’s right, ask the Lord for His grace to not complain but rejoice. Ask God to renew His peace in your heart and mind, so you may be faithful to Him.
End/Footnotes–
1. Wooding, D. (2010, April 28). Modern persecution. Christianity.com. https://www.christianity.com/church/church-history/timeline/1901-2000/modern-persecution-11630665.html
2. Kimball, T. (2021, December 7). Combatting Compassion Fatigue - Publishous - medium. Medium. https://medium.com/publishous/combatting-compassion-fatigue-91313a16f077
3. 15 Ways Christianity changed history and Society. (2024, April 2). Jason Pierce. https://jasonpierce.org/15-ways-christianity-changed-history-and-society/
4. The impact of Christianity - Faith Facts - Faith Facts. (n.d.). http://www.faithfacts.org/christ-and-the-culture/the-impact-of-christianity
5. See these references– Luke 6:22-23; Acts 5:41; 2 Corinthians 12:10; 1 Peter 4:12-14
This is an excerpt from a soon-to-be-published book called The Heart and Soul of God’s Kingdom. Look for it on Amazon with my other books— Trip Kimball on Amazon
