Blessed Are the Peacemakers in a Divided Nation

Bob Russell
Sep 23
5 min read

Reflecting on recent events, I find this one of the most challenging topics to articulate. The nation has witnessed one of the most volatile, emotional, and costly time in American history! And it is growing worse. In its aftermath, the country is deeply divided—there are those who mourn and express anger, disillusionment, and despair, while others exultantly celebrate, echoing a “we are the champions” mentality with little regard for those who lost.

Unlike a typical sporting event, recent killing of a social advocate for religious right Ideology carried profound existential concern for America’s future.

A spirit of hostility and vitriol now permeates American culture. Few seem to recognize that considerable damage has already been done. America, like many other nations, appears to be heading down a path of authoritarianism and self-destruction. The issue transcends who is right or wrong but is rooted in the reality that Americans no longer love their fellow citizens, let alone the strangers, minority populations, and immigrants among them.

Jesus’ Example Amidst Political Turmoil

When Jesus walked the earth, He did not direct His attention toward the numerous abuses of the Roman Empire, despite the many legitimate grievances. Even among his closest followers, there was hope that Jesus would overthrow the Empire. Yet, that was not His mission. Instead, Jesus focused on the community of faith—the Jewish religion and its leaders—addressing them with pointed critiques while saying little about the Romans.

The reason is simple: Jesus understood that the world was inherently evil and decaying—a reality that could not be altered. The decline of worldly empires was an inevitable and predetermined fact. Jesus knew something better would come from His work, a new kingdom, and a better world!

However, Jesus expected more from God’s chosen people. The Old Testament is filled with examples of legalism, conflict, and repeated failures, despite God’s constant warnings. The old covenant faltered, making way for the necessity of a new one.

The Church and the Battle for America’s Soul

Today, churches have taken sides in the antagonistic battle that defined the recent presidential election and a transformation of America’s governmental and social structure is underway. For many, this is a fight for the very soul of America.

Many prominent Christian leaders and their followers hoped that by enforcing biblical laws through governmental power, sinful behavior could be restrained or even eradicated. Their victory may seem assured, yet in this pursuit, they have neglected to love one another, show compassion, seek righteousness, and, most importantly, become peacemakers in a troubled world.

“Blessed are the Peacemakers, for they will be called children of God!” — Matthew 5:9

A Lack of Peacemakers and the Rise of Hostility

If anything, the recent past contentious election and rise of descent and divisions revealed the absence of peacemakers—only angry mobs seeking vengeance and retribution, inflaming passions, and exchanging hurtful words. Individuals once quietly harboring anger now feel empowered to display their arrogance openly. A glance at daily news and media reveals a rise in violence and hatred, fueled by a winner/loser mentality.

Worse yet, churches have, in the name of Jesus, allied themselves with the flames of hatred, attempting to combat a narrow set of perceived societal sins. Their intense focus on issues like abortion and sexual immorality has led to increased hatred, violence, division, and emotional harm to many individuals and families.

Young women, in particular, are fearful of emboldened men who feel entitled to their bodies. Physicians are increasingly hesitant to treat women with complicated pregnancies, forced into life-and-death decisions. Some young women now vow not to bring children into such a chaotic world.

Meanwhile, individuals, driven by rage, parade through communities, intimidating residents, and chanting threats. Hate speech targeting Black Americans, transexuals and immigrants is spreading throughout social media, and laws are developing or being re-interpreted as to make American citizens targets; and the hope for an equitable society is fading away.

Even businesses that advocate for equity are coming under attack and many have capitulated to the increasing racist and misogynistic demands. Even speaking against the current hard-right takeover is forbidden resulting in lost of jobs and public outcry.

The outcry is not just limited to the average Americans, but taints many that are public figures, entertainers, and prominent news media. A sense of fear and retaliation is blanketing America, and gloomy darkness descends.

The Futility of Force and the Spread of Sin

Attempting to control sin through force is like trying to eliminate liquid mercury with a fly swatter—it only splatters and spreads. Jesus understood that targeting a few sins with aggression merely results in the proliferation of more. After thousands of years observing human behavior, Jesus knew the world and its systems are destined to decline.

This is a reality that readers of scripture should recognize: Jesus did not come to save or eliminate Rome, nor the world or America; he came to rescue those who would be saved out from it!

Now, the thought of saving people out of this world order seems more difficult to believe or understand – as it introduces a supernatural element Americans and western cultures reject.

That a new more Christianized America is not the goal of Jesus, or that the nation would enlighten the world. No, Jesus did not come to save the world age or change governments – he came to change people’s hearts and open a path for redemption for each individual that choses it. These people become the citizens of a new world, a new kingdom that has no relationship to any nation or social structure on the Earth.

The Inevitability of Cultural Decline and the Church’s Mission

The discerning among the faithful should come to acknowledge that cultural drift towards sin is inevitable. Some may argue that both Right and “Woke” individuals should come to accept this fact. Neither side is entirely right; both have their flaws. The world remains on a path of destruction, regardless of the efforts to avoid the outcome. Immorality will continue to increase, especially outside the family of God.

As the world fades, people must choose their ultimate destiny. The church’s mission is to reach the lost, and this cannot be accomplished through division, anger, resentment, conflict, or violence. Only peacemakers will be recognized as the children of God; all others face loss.

“Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name? Then I (Jesus) will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; go away from me, you evildoers.’” — Matthew 7:21–23

A Warning to the Church

This is an urgent warning for the church: those who claim to be prophets, apostles, visionaries, or miracle workers are not always what they seem and can easily mislead many, as scripture predicts. Anyone stoking the flames of rebellion, teaching doctrines that promote or agitate violence or seeking changes by force or manipulation in the social order are false teachers or deceived.

We must not be like a Judas, to betray the Christ and caused the death of Jesus to overthrow the Roman empire’s grip on Judea. What may seem honorable on the surface, may be in fact, the workings of Satan – still, God takes the evil of humanity to work out good for those that trust in him. But this should bring no comfort to the agitator seeking to benefit through social disruption.