Being a peacemaker

inquiry

I have really enjoyed looking over your site and was wondering if you could
give me some insight on what it means to be a peacemaker?  I know that Jesus
said, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of
God."  Can you tell me exactly why the peacemakers are called "the children,
or sons, of God?  Does it have anything to do with Christ being called "The
Prince of Peace?"  Thank you in advance and you have a blessed day.
With love,
Your brother in Christ,

response

Thanks for the encouraging words.  The actual verse is more like this,
"Blessed, that is, enjoying enviable happiness, spiritual prosperity, a joyful
life full of satisfaction in God's unearned favor and salvation, regardless of
their outward conditions are the makers and maintainers of peace, for they
shall be called the son's of God!".  Obviously this is to much of a
mouthful to translate after every use of "blessed" so in English we have,
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God."

Peacemakers are those who actively work to bring about peace and
reconciliation where it is needed.  Places where there is hatred and enmity.
God will bless peacemakers and calls them His children (Matt. 5:9). First and
foremost, peacemakers would be those who work to bring peace and reconciliation
between man and God through Christ.  As Christians we have a ministry of bring
about peace between squabbling factions.  We belong to the Kingdom of god and
are not supposed to be friends with the world.  Thus we have already chosen
whose side we are on and we can bring an objective perspective to help resolve a
conflict.

Sometimes people make the mistake of equating peace with merely a feeling.
The peace the Bible teaches about is that state of mind that follows a war.
This does indeed feel different than war does, but to seek peace without
reconciliation is like asking for a divine tranquilizer.  Biblical peace comes
from ending one's war with God.  This peace surpasses all understanding.

Because Jesus came to reconcile man to God, we are his children when we do
likewise through the preaching of the Gospel.

Amazed, crazed and ablaze by His grace,

PS.  References:  "peacemaker",  Greek adjective signifying peace making is
used in Matt. 5:9,  is actually two words; eirene, "peace" and poieo, "to
make".
Check out verses similar to Mat 5:9;  2 Cor. 5:18-19; Eph. 2:14-15; Col.
1:20.