Beatitudes pt 3

The Right Side up Life  / Matthew 5:9–11

Conflict is normal.

The way out is what is abnormal

We are called to be peacemakers.  Which means, with all the effort that we have, we are called to make peace with others.

Colossians 1:21–22 ESV

And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him,

Glorifying God

Getting the Log out

Matthew 7:3–5 ESV

Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.

This is a normative posture because it is the place where Christ lifts our burdens.  It is not the place of shame or heaviness, it is the posture of freedom. 

This is how we understand that conflict can give glory to God. We go to the place where we need restoration.

We are always waiting for the other person.  Christ didn’t.  We don’t either. 

Because it is in getting the log out that we can understand restoration

Restore and be reconciled

Matthew 5:23–26 ESV

So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison. Truly, I say to you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.

We are called to be experts in it.  What does it mean to be a Christian in the world? What does it mean to act like Christ in the world?

2 Corinthians 5:19 ESV

that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.

To be a peacemaker is to respond to Christ making peace in our own lives. 

Matthew 5:10–11 ESV

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.

Matthew 5:9 ESV

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

And then immediately after he says, people will misunderstand you because they misunderstand Christ and they will utter all kinds of evil.

And that connection may be the most important of all

Because we love justifying the idea of treating people the way they treat us. Jesus doesn’t say be kind to people only as long as they are kind to you.  He says make peace even when, especially when, people utter all kinds of evil against you.