The Requirement of Love vs. The Requirement of Peace(Matthew 5:9; Hebrews 12:14)

 

The Requirement of Love vs. The Requirement of Peace(Matthew 5:9; Hebrews 12:14)

Matt 5:9 – “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”

Heb 12:14 – “Pursue peace with all men, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.” 

Aspect	The Requirement of Love	The Requirement of Peace
Meaning	Love is the attribute of God’s life, causing us to treat others with divine affection, giving, forgiving, and bearing (1 John 4:8).	Peace is the result of God’s life — the expression of righteousness and holiness blended in the Spirit, bringing harmony with God and with others (Matt 5:9; Heb 12:14).
Origin	God is love (1 John 4:16); everyone born of God has the nature of love within.	Christ, the Son of God, is the Prince of Peace (Isa 9:6; Eph 2:14). Through the cross He abolished enmity and made peace between God and man.
Distinction	Love is an attribute — an inner motive and emotion.	Peace is a result — the outward expression of a matured divine life. Love may act unilaterally; peace requires mutual harmony.
Explanation	If love is not dealt with by the cross, it becomes natural affection — partial and fleshly.	Peace demands strictness toward self, mercy toward others, and purity toward God. It is produced through the breaking of the cross.
Example	Peter rebuked the Lord out of love (Matt 16:22) but was contrary to God’s will.	Jesus Christ, through the cross, gave Himself to make peace between God and men (Eph 2:14–16).
Application	Love enables care and forgiveness, yet must be ruled by the Spirit, not natural feeling.	To be a peacemaker is to live in spirit, not politicking or compromising, but upholding righteousness and mercy.
Mutual Relation	Genuine love leads to peace, but love without the cross cannot produce peace.	Peace includes the consummation of love; it is love perfected and transformed by divine life.
Key Point	The source of love is the flow of divine life; love without holiness may still cause division.	The source of peace is Christ as our peace; it manifests maturity and the character of sonship.
Burden	Grow in divine love, letting it be purified and governed by the cross.	Be peacemakers in the church life, reconciling men to God and to one another, expressing God’s sons.
Detailed Scriptures	1 John 4:8, 16 – “God is love.” 1 Cor 13 – The way of love surpasses all gifts. Rom 12:9–10 – Love without hypocrisy. John 15:12–13 – Love one another as I have loved you. Matt 22:37–39 – The two great commandments: love God and love your neighbor.	Rom 12:18 – “If possible, as far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” Eph 2:14–16 – Christ made peace by the cross. Col 1:20–22 – Peace through the blood of His cross. Jas 3:17–18 – The fruit of righteousness is sown in peace. Isa 9:6 – “Prince of Peace.”

  

Conclusion: 

Love is the beginning — learning divine care.

Peace is the goal — the expression of maturity and sonship. Love that has not produced peace is incomplete.

 

*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.