Making Peace

The natural tendency of mankind is personal pride. It is simply the result of being imperfect sinners. We naturally look out for “ol’ number one” first and foremost, producing a self-centered, self-focused mindset that takes real work to overcome. Sadly, not everyone—even Christians—is willing to battle those selfish tendencies.

James explains why: “From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?” (James 4:1). When our desires become more important than God’s will, conflict is almost inevitable.

So what happens in a world filled with people determined to please themselves instead of God? Wars. Battles. Bitterness. Resentment. Jealousy. Envy. Anger. And those things can eventually lead to bloodshed and death…seen any of that in the world lately?

Think about Cain and Abel. Cain’s jealousy turned to anger, and his anger eventually led him to murder his own brother. What began with selfishness ended in bloodshed. Sadly, that same cycle continues in our world today.

No wonder Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers.” It is a rare soul who is willing to lay down pride, approach an enemy, and come to the table seeking reconciliation, truce, and peace. Making peace requires humility. It requires surrendering the need to be right, the need to win, and sometimes even the desire to be understood.

The peacemaker is blessed because peace is not merely something we receive; sometimes it is something we must choose to make.

And that brings the lesson home to me: I cannot have peace if I am unwilling to make peace. If pride keeps me from reconciliation, I am helping perpetuate the very conflict I claim to hate…and the Savior died to free my soul from the iron chains of pride.

Lord, help me lay down my pride, seek peace, and become a peacemaker for Your glory. Amen.