“Peace with God vs. Peace with Man”

 

“Peace with God vs. Peace with Man”

Matthew 5:9 — “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”
Hebrews 12:14 — “Pursue peace with all men and sanctification, without which no one will see the Lord.”

Aspect	Peace with God	Peace with Man
Meaning	Through Christ’s redemption, man is reconciled from enmity with God, restored to fellowship, union, and rest in Him.	To live in harmony with others in the nature of Christ’s life, removing divisions and conflicts, manifesting His peace among men.
Cause / Origin	Sin and self separated man from God (Col. 1:21; Rom. 5:10); only Christ’s cross and blood bring reconciliation (Eph. 2:14–16).	Pride, selfishness, and jealousy cause strife (James 4:1–2); only the love and mercy of Christ’s life produce true peace (Rom. 12:18).
Distinction	A vertical relationship —between God and man.	A horizontal relationship —between man and man.
Explanation	Peace with God is the inward foundation of life—bringing His presence, rest, and supply; the source of all true peace.	Peace with man is the outward expression of life—manifesting the character of the sons of God and the testimony of the Kingdom.
Examples	Paul, once a persecutor, was reconciled to God and became a vessel of peace (Gal. 1:23–24); believers justified by faith have peace with God (Rom. 5:1).	Jesus reconciled enemies through the cross (Eph. 2:16); Barnabas mediated peace in the church (Acts 9:27; Col. 4:10).
Application	Remain in fellowship with God daily through confession, obedience, and prayer, enjoying Christ as peace (Phil. 4:6–7).	In the church, family, and daily life, be meek, merciful, and pure in heart; avoid striving, be a builder of peace (James 3:17–18).
Mutual Relation	Peace with God is the source of peace with man (Eph. 2:16–17); without harmony with God, man cannot truly live in harmony with others.	Peace with man is the expression and evidence of peace with God (1 John 4:20–21); genuine fellowship with God leads to peace among men.
Key Point	The cross is the foundation of peace—reconciliation and life union with God.	Peace with man is the outflow of divine life, the expression of sonship and divine nature.
Burden	God desires His people to return to Him, free from sin and self, to dwell in His peace and have restored spiritual fellowship.	God’s burden is for the church to express His peace on earth—believers living in love and unity as a testimony of His Kingdom (Matt. 5:9; John 17:21).
Related Scriptures	Col. 1:20–21 — “Through Him to reconcile all things…making peace through the blood of His cross.” Rom. 5:1 — “Being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Eph. 2:14–16 — “He Himself is our peace…making both one, reconciling them in one body to God through the cross.” Phil. 4:6–7 — “The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”	Matt. 5:9 — “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” Heb. 12:14 — “Pursue peace with all men and sanctification.” Rom. 12:18 — “If possible, as far as depends on you, live peaceably with all.” James 3:17–18 — “Wisdom from above…is peaceable; and the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” Col. 3:15 — “Let the peace of Christ arbitrate in your hearts.”

 

🔹 Summary of Core Burden

•        True peace originates in God — the cross is the foundation.

•        Peace with God restores life and communion.

•        Peace with man manifests divine sonship.

•        Peacemakers live out God’s righteous, merciful, and pure nature.

•        The church’s testimony on earth is to express this divine peace.

 

🔹 Conclusion: 

All true peace begins with God; reconciliation through Christ brings real rest and oneness.

Peacemakers are blessed—they manifest God’s nature, bringing peace to men, and are called the sons of God.

 

*Please refer to the International Elders and Responsible Brothers Training in May 2025. General Topic: Vital Aspects of Matthew 5-7. Week 2: The Blessings of Those Who Mourn, the Blessings of the Meek, and the Blessings of the Peacemakers Who Are Called Sons of God.