Seven Principles for a Flourishing Life - A Radical Call to Peacemaking

In this final episode of the Loveshaped Life Podcast’s fifth season, hosts Nathan and Bob discuss the seventh principle for a flourishing life: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.” This principle, part of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, challenges the expectations of Jesus’ original audience and remains equally radical today. While many anticipated a militant Messiah to overthrow Roman rule, Jesus instead called his followers to be peacemakers, contrasting sharply with societal tendencies toward division, anger, and hostility. (Sound familiar?)

The hosts emphasize that true peacemaking, rooted in the love of Christ, goes beyond merely avoiding conflict or enforcing external behavior changes. It involves a transformation of the heart, leading to reconciliation with God and others. This concept stands in stark contrast to religious or political movements that foster hatred or division. Nathan and Bob argue that any leader inciting hatred or attack on others cannot be truly following God's will, as Jesus’ call to peacemaking is fundamentally about demonstrating God’s love and leading others to experience his peace.

The episode concludes by connecting peacemaking to the other principles discussed throughout the season. The hosts describe how acknowledging one’s brokenness, experiencing God’s love, showing mercy, and undergoing inner purification all contribute to becoming effective peacemakers. They encourage listeners to embrace this challenging yet rewarding path, recognizing that while it may get us into trouble (not everyone’s a fan of peacemaking), it also aligns believers with God’s work in the world. The hosts invite their audience to start this journey of spiritual growth, emphasizing that experiencing and living out these principles leads to true joy and flourishing in God’s presence.

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