In a world filled with conflict, misunderstanding, and
broken relationships, understanding the difference between peacekeeping
and peacemaking is crucial. While both may sound similar, their outcomes
are vastly different. A peacekeeper seeks to maintain harmony by
avoiding confrontation, while a peacemaker actively works toward
reconciliation and truth. The Bible calls us to be peacemakers who
pursue genuine peace rooted in love, truth, and justice.
Sin, when left unchecked, is like rust, it may seem
small at first, but it gradually spreads and corrodes everything it touches.
When believers choose to ignore sin, whether in personal relationships
or within the body of Christ, they risk allowing deception, bitterness, and
division to take root.
The tendency to sweep issues under the rug might feel
like maintaining peace, but it’s merely creating deeper problems. Conflicts that go unresolved, can breed
resentment and broken relationships, creating fertile ground for falsehoods to
take root and spread if left unchecked.
Instead of ignoring sin, Jesus taught a better
way—addressing it directly, with humility and love.
Why is
this the best way?
1. Because The Heart of a Peacemaker Reflects God’s Heart
A peacemaker embodies compassion and biblical truth,
mirroring the heart of God. Jesus Himself demonstrated this in His
ministry, confronting sin while extending grace.
John 13:35 states, “By this all people will know that you
are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” This
verse highlights that true discipleship is marked by love, not passive
avoidance of conflict. Love is not merely about keeping the peace—it’s about actively
seeking restoration.
Similarly, 1 Peter 4:8 reminds us, “Above all, keep
loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.” This
does not mean ignoring sin but rather addressing it with grace and wisdom.
Love does not enable wrongdoing; instead, it seeks to heal and restore.
Special Notes:
Covering vs. Exposing: To “cover” sins implies protecting
the dignity of the offender by addressing their wrongs privately and with
grace, as opposed to shaming or gossiping about them. Later we will see in
Matthew 18:15 where Jesus instructs believers to confront sin privately first,
aiming to “gain your brother” rather than humiliate him.
Practical Application
Imagine a church member who gossips, causing hurt. A “peacekeeper”
might ignore it to avoid conflict, allowing resentment to grow. A “peacemaker,”
motivated by love, might privately address the issue, seeking to understand the
gossiper’s motives, forgive them, and restore trust. This act of love “covers”
the sin by resolving it without public shaming.
Another example is a marriage relationship that has been tainted
with mistrust. Love might mean overlooking minor offenses or addressing major
ones with humility to preserve the relationship. Here, the phrase “love
covers a multitude of sins” means choosing forgiveness over resentment.
Limitations in these Applications
- The
phrase doesn’t mean love excuses all sins or eliminates consequences.
Serious sins (e.g., all types of abuses) may require accountability,
justice, or intervention beyond private forgiveness.
- It’s
not a call to hide sin for the sake of appearances but to handle it in a
way that reflects God’s redemptive love.
In summary, “love covers a multitude of sins” means
that genuine, selfless love chooses forgiveness, grace, and reconciliation over
judgment or division, reflecting God’s heart while still addressing sin with
wisdom.
2. Because Peacemakers Confront Sin, but Peacekeepers
Avoid It
One of the greatest dangers of being a peacekeeper is
the tendency to ignore sin, and pretending it doesn’t exist. This
approach may seem easier in the short term, but it allows problems to fester.
Remember, Sin, like rust, may appear small at first, but if left unchecked, it
spreads and weakens everything it touches.
Matthew 18:15-16 provides a biblical framework for
addressing conflict:
- “If
your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and
him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.”
- “But
if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every
charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses.”
The first step is never going to social media to expose a
wrong. Notice that Jesus instructs believers to approach others privately
first before escalating the situation. This emphasizes the importance of grace,
discretion, and a sincere desire to restore rather than condemn.
Therefore, it is important to be direct and loving in a confrontation
rather than passively avoiding what is needed to correct the wrong. Ignoring
sin leads to exaggerated lies and deeper wounds, while addressing it directly
with humility, there is a better chance for healing of all wounds.
3. Because the goal of Peacemaking is Biblical Relationships
Peacemaking requires courage, wisdom, and a heart for
reconciliation. It is not about winning arguments but about restoring
relationships. When we approach conflict with compassion, grace, and mercy,
we reflect God’s heart and create a safe space for honest dialogue.
Conclusion
The way I see it: “Confronting sin or misunderstandings
with the attitude of compassion, grace, and mercy is key to resolving conflicts
in a way that reflects God's heart. Approaching these conversations with
humility and empathy makes all the difference.”
True peace is not the absence of conflict; it is the
presence of truth, love, and reconciliation. So, let us strive to be peacemakers,
not just peacekeepers!
