I was listening to a podcast recently and the speaker was talking about how we are living in the “Age of Offense” where everyone is so easily offended. When I think about it, he has a really good point.

We get offended when people are driving too slowly, and we get offended when they’re driving too fast. We get offended when the line at the supermarket is too long, we get offended when our Wi-Fi buffers while we are watching a movie, and we get offended when the hot drink that we ordered from our favourite café arrives warm.

Because we are living in an age where we all get so easily offended, a negative consequence of this is that we are also living at a time when relationship conflicts are at an all time high. 

In Matthew 5:9 Jesus says, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” Jesus makes it clear that being a peacemaker is one of the most godlike things that we can do. To be called a child of God means someone who reflects the character and nature of God, and God is a peacemaker.

God is all about restoring relationships, and his enemy the Devil is all about destroying relationships. When God comes into our relationships he brings love, forgiveness, grace, compassion, reconciliation and peace. The Devil is the complete opposite.

When sin destroyed our relationship with God, Jesus gave his life for us so that our relationship with God could be restored. Jesus is the peacemaker between God and us. And when we have made peace with God, his Spirit will live in us, empowering us to become peacemakers just like him.

Do you need some peacemaking in your life right now? Ask Jesus to come into your heart.

God bless,

Roland Talamaivao-Amituanai