In this week's study we're going to take a fresh look at some of the most misquoted passages in Scripture that are wrongly applied to our God-ordained profession of law enforcement (including but not limited to Matthew 5:9 in which Jesus says, " Blessed are the peacemakers, for they call be called the sons of God ."). 

 

Please understand my focus here: we are under attack (at war) at a horrendous rate. Worse, the vast majority of those serving in our God-ordained profession do so without a saving faith in Jesus Christ while clinging to a dangerous, false hope that their service as LEOs will somehow save them. Part of this false theology involves taking certain biblical passages out of context and misapplying them to the law enforcement profession. Accordingly, my purpose here is to shine a powerful "takedown" light of clarity on this subject.  

First off, the biblical word "peacemaker" is often misquoted in law enforcement and military circles as "peacekeeper" (NOT in the Bible) and has resulted in all kinds of websites, shirts, coins and even whole "ministries" that have no biblical foundation.  Folks, this passage has NOTHING to do with cops! Rather, Jesus' "Sermon on the Mount" (the Beatitudes) was directed at believers (His followers -- whom subsequently called "Christians") on a theme of true righteousness.  Let's break it down:

 

The Greek word translated " peacemaker" is used in only one other place in the New Testament and in a slightly different form.  Colossians 1:20 says, " For it was the Father's good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross."  Moreover, the Greek word for p eacemaker -- iseirenopois --  means just that -- PEACEMAKER. Taken in context with the rest of Scripture, the Matthew 5:9  "peacemaker" is NOT a picture of today's "peace officer" (police, peacekeeper, etc.) but rather refers to believers who have been changed and redeemed (born again) into a life-changing/life-saving personal relationship with God in Christ and are therefore themselves "at peace" with God.  In short, the police officer is not a saved peacemaker until they have repented and received the eternal peace that comes only from being born again into a personal relationship (not "religion") with Christ.

 

Jesus -- the ultimately "peacemaker" -- laid down His life on the cross to make peace between God and sinners, and when we can carry that message of peace to others, we are the peacemakers He refers to. Those who give of themselves as Jesus did in order to lead others to repentance and salvation are called "blessed." Again, there is no real peace apart from a live-saving/life-changing personal relationship with God in Christ ( Romans 5:1  --  Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ).   Isaiah 48:22 adds,  "' There is no peace,' says the LORD, 'for the wicked.'" Who are the "wicked" and unrighteous?  Speaking under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit (and in turn quoting the Old Testiment), Paul explains this includes EVERYONE outside of a genuine saving faith in Christ ( Romans 3:10).  

Accordingly, it is clear that only the " children of God" -- true born again believers -- can be used by the Holy Spirit to bring the peace of  knowing Christ as Lord and Savior  to others.  Those who witness for Christ, share their faith and serve others in His name are the ambassadors for peace ("peacemakers") this verse identifies. 

Can a peacekeeper (cop) also be the "peacemaker" Jesus is speaking of? Of course -- but it has nothing to do with law enforcement unless we are living and sharing the Gospel with others in the course of our duties. One powerful example is this was that of Fairfax County (VA) police detectives Mike "Mo" Motafches and Vicky Armel.  Mo boldly stepped out in faith and was used to lead Vicky to a saving faith in Christ. In turn, after Vicky was killed in the line of duty, her recorded testimony was played at her funeral and others have come to repentance and salvation because of it.  As such, both Mo and Vicky are in fact the "blessed peacemakers" of Matthew 5:9. I can't encourage you enough to listen to their testimonies in Honoring Vicky Armel.