Love God Greatly: BeatitudesSample

There is a big difference between a peacemaker and a peacekeeper. A peacekeeper tries to cover up differences with false unity, while a peacemaker actively tries to reconcile people without denying their differences. Jesus was no peacekeeper—He was unafraid to tell hypocritical religious leaders the truth, and He lifted up those whom society would rather ignore or oppress. He didn't deny the deep differences between people or pretend that genuine conflicts didn't exist, but He sought to bring understanding, resolution, and justice. We have the undeserved gift of being adopted into God's family, of receiving the honor and dignity of being called His children. That also means that we take on the attributes that define our family: seeking reconciliation in a broken world. Jesus says that the world will know us by our love (John 13:35). In a world defined by division and conflict, the church is defined by her love and her unity. It is a unity that is not forged by covering up our differences or denying our disagreements, but by true forgiveness and reconciliation. God, thank You for adopting me into Your family. Give me the wisdom and strength to seek peace and reconciliation in the spaces where You have called me.