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True Peacemaking: Reconciliation on God’s Terms

by | May 31, 2025 | Edification, Elder Blog, Sermon Supplements

Last week, Pastor Eric reminded us that biblical peacemaking is not merely about removing conflict. True peacemakers are not content with avoiding arguments or settling for shallow harmony. Instead, we are called to pursue something much deeper: reconciliation. That was his second point, if you weren’t taking notes.

But even that word, reconciliation, can be misunderstood. In our culture, reconciliation often means a mutual compromise. Both sides give a little, meet in the middle, and agree to disagree. While that might result in a temporary calm, it falls far short of the biblical vision.

Peacemakers Understand Biblical Reconciliation

Biblical reconciliation is not about adjusting opinions or preferences. It is about aligning with God’s standard. In 2 Corinthians 5:18–20, Paul writes:

All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation… Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

To be reconciled biblically means to be brought into a right relationship with God. That means being aligned with His perfect righteousness. Reconciliation does not require one person to give in to another’s viewpoint. Instead, it calls both people to submit to the truth and holiness of God.

This is why peacemakers are not just conflict-avoiders or neutral mediators. They are those who lovingly point others toward the character and commands of God, encouraging repentance, faith, and obedience.

Peacemakers Pursue God’s Standard

The first call of a peacemaker is to invite sinners to be reconciled to God through the gospel. We do not ask people to simply be nicer or more moral. We call them to repent and believe in Jesus Christ. As Romans 5:10-11 says:

For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. (ESV)

Once that vertical reconciliation is made, peacemaking continues in the life of the church. Believers are called to walk in holiness and to help one another do the same. A true peacemaker will gently confront sin, encourage obedience, and seek to restore broken relationships—not by compromise, but by realignment with the Word of God.

When two believers are both walking in the Spirit and submitting to Scripture, peace naturally follows. Unity in the church flows from shared submission to Christ. In fact, peace is not just a byproduct of effort or mutual respect—it is a supernatural fruit of the Spirit.
Galatians 5:22 tells us:

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness…

Peace is something God produces in us as we yield to His Spirit. Therefore, if believers are not at peace with one another, we must ask whether we are truly walking in the Spirit. Disunity is often a symptom of spiritual immaturity or ongoing sin that resists the Spirit’s leading.

Peacemakers Call Out Sin

Peacemakers are not passive observers. They don’t ignore sin for the sake of superficial harmony. Instead, true peacemakers love others enough to confront what God calls sin. If our goal is genuine reconciliation—to bring others into alignment with God’s standard—then sin must be addressed clearly and graciously.

James reminds us why conflict arises through sin. James 4:1–2 says:

What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you?

Disunity is not primarily caused by differences in personality, preferences, or background. At its root, disunity is caused by sin. Sin disrupts peace because it pulls us away from God’s holiness and, in turn, away from one another.

Efforts at peace that ignore sin will always be temporary. Lasting peace only comes when sin is dealt with and hearts are brought into alignment with the truth of God’s Word.

As we reflect on Pastor Eric’s message, let us commit to being true peacemakers. This involves calling unbelievers to repentance and faith, urging them to be reconciled to God through Christ. It means encouraging one another toward holiness, not according to our own preferences, but grounded firmly in the truth of Scripture. It also requires us to examine our own hearts for any sin that may be disrupting peace in our relationships. In love and humility, we must seek to restore others who are caught in sin, just as Galatians 6:1 instructs.

Peacemaking is not passive; it demands boldness, compassion, and constant dependence on the Spirit of God. May we be faithful to this high calling, and seek peace, not on our own terms, but on God’s.