"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God" (Matthew 5:9).

"A peacemaker is a person who breaks up fights," says Doug, age 10. Is this a referee or more like a bouncer?

Davis, 10, has a slightly different idea: "If you try not to start fights but settle them, you will be thanked." I hope so, but often the peacemaker is misunderstood, blamed and persecuted.

"God will make us peacemakers if we show the peace we already have," says Stephanie, 8. World peace begins with inner peace. We can't bring peace to others if our insides are churning.

"A peacemaker is someone who actively pursues peace," says Kristin, 10. "The peace comes from Jesus so that we can bring peace to others. Jesus is the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6)."

The work of God among those who accept Jesus as God's son creates a new family of peacemakers that transcends race, culture and economics. But the flip side is that the members of your natural family might not be excited about your new peace with God. They might think you're crazy.

Peacemaking is provocative. The peacemaker, "by laying bare the violence that must be overcome, frequently appears to be the fomenter of the very violence being opposed," writes author Gene Davenport. "But this violence otherwise remains hidden or denied. Jesus himself is the prime example of this fate of peacemaking."

When Jesus was born, shepherds heard angels saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!" The good news of the gospel is the only hope for harmonious relationships.

Jesus said the greatest commandment is to love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. But he also said the second commandment is like the first: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."

The Hebrew greeting "shalom," which is translated "peace," means perfect welfare, serenity, prosperity and happiness. Righteous personal relationships, intimacy and fellowship are uninterrupted in an atmosphere of shalom. Goodwill among people prevails.

Wes, 11, provides an example of a peacemaker in action: "One day, my friend was so mad at something. No one knew what it was he was mad at. I went over to him, and I said, 'The Lord is with you, and he will settle your heart down.' After that, he wasn't mad the rest of the day."

Adam and Eve's sin introduced strife, discord, chaos and division in a world of harmony, peace and righteousness. World history is a series of conflicts with occasional interludes of peace brought on by a spiritual awakening or enforced by a strong army. Peacemakers have their work cut out for them.

"God loved his enemies," says Lee, 10. "We should love our enemies."

Someone once said that a man is known by his enemies. It would be better to say we're all known by how we treat our enemies. Christians should be the peacemakers in our society. Their experience of God's presence should function as a bright light shining in a world full of darkness, agitation and confusion.

Consider this description of the first-century Jerusalem church: "So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people" (Acts 2:46-47).

Think about this: God's peaceful presence can make you a peacemaker. Remember this truth: "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God" (Matthew 5:9). Ask this question: Are you a peacemaker or an agitator?

Listen to a talking book, download the "Kids Color Me Bible" for free, watch Kid TV Interviews and travel around the world by viewing the "Mission Explorers Streaming Video" at www.KidsTalkAboutGod.org. Bible quotations are from the New King James Version. To find out more about Carey Kinsolving and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

COPYRIGHT 2008 CAREY KINSOLVING

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