When most people hear the word “peace,” they think of calm feelings, the absence of conflict, or maybe the 1960s-style “peace movement.” But when Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God” (Matthew 5:9), He meant something far deeper—and far more costly—than emotional calm or simple conflict avoidance.

This is one of the Beatitudes—the eight attributes of a follower of Jesus found in Matthew 5. Many consider “Blessed are the peacemakers” to be one of the most difficult, because it violently collides with the world’s definition of peace, and even with much of our church culture.

Let’s look at what biblical peacemaking is, what it isn’t, why it’s so risky, and why Jesus still calls those who embrace it “blessed.”41-42

Jesus said something in John 16:33 that sounds contradictory at first:

‘These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”’ (NKJV)

In Christ, we have peace. Yet, because we are in Christ, we will face tribulation in this world. The more fully you align with Jesus, the more conflict you will have with a world that rejects Him. The deeper your peace with God, the more you become a target in a culture at war with God.

Jesus Himself was the great Peacemaker between God and humanity—and it cost Him His life. God sent Him to reconcile us, and we crucified Him. That alone should dismantle any shallow notion that being a peacemaker means everyone will like you. Peace with God creates friction with the world.

Peacemakers are not passive. They aren’t people who sit on the sidelines saying, “I just want everybody to get along,” while doing nothing. A peacemaker is NOT a political broker or emotional referee. They don’t take sides. The goal isn’t, “Whose side am I on?” It’s, “How can I bring both parties to God’s side?” There is no lasting peace without peace with God.

A peacemaker is someone who actively pursues peace with others. If you and another person have an issue, a peacemaker doesn’t just wait for time to “heal it.” They go to the person and work toward reconciliation.

A peacemaker steps into conflict between others. If two people—or two groups—are at odds, a peacemaker is willing to enter that “combat zone” and help bring them together. They risk rejection, misunderstanding, and loss. Peacemakers put their relationships, reputations, and sometimes their safety on the line. That’s why there are so few of them.

Law enforcement officers will tell you that domestic violence calls are some of the most dangerous environments they face. Walking into a volatile situation between a husband and wife can be unhinged to the extent that even the victim can turn against the officer once they interfere.

That’s a picture—drastic, but helpful—of what happens to peacemakers. They step into an unstable, charged environment, and often everyone involved ends up angry with them. They are not merely conflict managers, diplomatic appeasers, or people-pleasers who smooth everything over at the cost of truth.

Peacemakers are ambassadors of Christ, entering hostile spaces to reconcile people to God and, from that place, to one another.

There’s a reason many churches, leaders, and believers avoid real life peacemaking. It’s risky and costly. Many leaders refuse to step into church or relational conflicts because you can lose people you love, you can be misunderstood or judged unfairly, and you can be accused of “taking sides” even if you’re trying to bring everyone to God’s side.

Being a peacemaker often leads directly to persecution, misunderstanding, and rejection (see the next Beatitude in the list). From a human perspective, it doesn’t feel “blessed” to be standing on a stage with opposing angry groups, trying to speak for Christ, but everyone is mad at you. It doesn’t feel blessed to lose those close to you because you refused to take sides.

However, Jesus calls the peacemaker blessed because they choose God’s will over self-protection, reconciliation over comfort, and obedience over popularity.

‘Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.’ Matthew 5:23-24

God doesn’t say, “Stop giving.” He says, “Leave your gift there. Don’t take it back. But pause and go reconcile.” God values human relationships above religious performance. He would rather see you restored to your brother or sister than see you drop a gift in the offering with a bitter, divided heart.

God values unity and reconciliation in His family. Peace in our homes, our churches, and our friendships are precious to Him. Put simply, blessed are those who value reconciliation more than money, image, or pride.

‘Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: ‘ Hebrews 12:14

We see God because of Christ’s holiness, not your own. When we live in holiness, other people see God in us. When our lives reflect God’s character, our good works become a light that points others to Him.

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

When the world sees believers working through their differences, refusing to split, and reconciling rather than canceling each other—they instinctively recognize that those people belong to God. They may not like it; they may still reject it, but they see something different, something divine.

‘If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.’ Romans 12:18

This is a crucial qualifier. With some people, it is not possible to live at peace. You can be at peace in your heart toward them, but they may not be at peace with you. You are only responsible for what depends on you. We are not called to force peace where it is rejected.

‘Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.’ 2 Corinthians 5:17-20

This is a clear picture of our identity and mission as peacemakers. God has already reconciled Himself to us through Jesus. God is at peace with us because of the blood of Christ. Many of us are not yet at peace with God. Our ministry is to plead with people: “Be reconciled to God.”

A peacemaker is first and foremost calling people to peace with God. They declare that Christ’s sacrifice is more than enough—“double for all your sins” (Isaiah 40 imagery). They explain that the angels told the shepherds, “Now God has made peace and is extending goodwill toward men,” not that the world would now be conflict-free.

The Bible warns of a counterfeit peace. In the last days, there will be cries of “Peace, peace”—and sudden destruction will follow. There is a false peace built on compromise, that refuses to confront evil, and demands silence about sin. This peace is not from God.

Biblical peacemakers do not appease wickedness, do not call evil “good” to keep relationships intact, and do not compromise clear Scripture to stay “on good terms” with everyone.

Peacemakers pursue peace with their others (including their kids), refuse harshness or cruelty, and refuse rejection, shaming, and self-righteousness. God is not at peace with the devil or with evil. He loves people, but He does not approve of wickedness, oppression, or rebellion.

Real peacemaking often requires confrontation of sin, drawing lines, and saying hard things in love. This doesn’t make you unloving—it makes you faithful.

Part of the pain of peacemaking is discovering when one or both parties simply do not want reconciliation. Getting sympathy, validation, or someone to “take their side” turns out to be more important than the truth.

The peacemaker may lose friends, be misrepresented, or be accused of being “unloving” for not simply endorsing a grievance. Even Jesus, the perfect Peacemaker, was rejected, and couldn’t make peace where people hardened themselves against Him. Our responsibility is faithfulness—not guaranteed outcomes.

‘And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.’ Romans 16:20

We often imagine “peace” as soft, passive, and quiet. But the God of peace is not fragile or intimidated by darkness. Peacemakers, aligned with the God of peace, participate in crushing evil—not by violence against people, but by refusing compromise, standing on truth, overcoming evil with good, and walking in forgiveness, holiness, and reconciliation.

To live as a peacemaker, you may be called to: 

• Go to someone you’ve offended—or who has offended you—and seek reconciliation rather than avoidance.
• Step into a family conflict not to “pick a side,” but to lovingly call both sides to humility, forgiveness, and truth.
• Refuse to gossip or “take up another’s offense,” even when it would win you friends.
• Tell a friend or family member a hard truth in love, instead of endorsing a destructive decision.
• Help two believers who are at odds remember they are both children of God and are forbidden by Scripture to devour or destroy one another.
• Be willing to lose people you dearly value because you will not trade God’s truth for their approval.

You may fail sometimes, misread a situation, step into something before you’re fully prepared, feel discouraged or even wounded afterward. Yet if you keep bringing your failures and pain to God, He will teach you through both your successes and your mistakes, strengthen your character, and make you more like Jesus—the ultimate Peacemaker.

The blessed life Jesus describes in the Beatitudes is not a life free from conflict. It’s a life where you are willing to enter conflict for the sake of reconciliation, risk rejection to uphold truth, and sacrifice personal comfort, opinion, and pride for God’s will.

May God raise up true peacemakers in our homes, churches, and communities—people who love deeply, stand firmly, speak truthfully, and reconcile courageously.

Brother Duane Sheriff has taught in depth about a myriad of subjects contained in the Word of God, and can be found on the Grace & Truth broadcast available on our website, app, YouTube, or on TV. Tune in to hear what God’s Word means to us as believers.

Check out our website for books, video teachings, resource materials, and more.

Help us continue to provide free resources by becoming part of 
Duane Sheriff Ministries Today.

We Exist To Help People Grow In Christ.