Running head THE FOUR G’S OF PEACEMAKING 1
Essay 1: The four G’s of Peacemaking
Annette Reed
Liberty University
Running head THE FOUR G’S OF PEACEMAKING 2
Abstract
The purpose of this essay is to discuss the four G’s of peacemaking to resolving conflict that
were discussed by Ken Sande in his book “The Peacemaker” a biblical guide to resolving
personal conflict. In addition, I will incorporate scriptures and scholarly articles as references to
support the four G’s of peacemaking as well as how individuals can turn conflicts around by
being peacemakers to strength relationships be it personal, business or a Christian relationship.
Therefore, the four G’s of peacemaking topics that will be discussed in this essay will be Glorify
God, get the log out of your eye, gently restore and lastly go and be reconciled.
Keywords: conflict, peacemaking, biblical
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Essay 1: The four G’s of Peacemaking
According to Sande (2002), peacemakers are individuals who breathe grace, they extract
continually from the goodness and power of Jesus. Therefore, they bring the love of Jesus, his
mercy, forgiveness, strength, and his wisdom to help resolve and deal with conflicts of daily
living (pp.11-12). For the most part, we deal with conflicts but how we handle those conflicts
can determine what the outcome of a conflict will be whether it is going to be good or bad.
There will be times where an individual will encounter conflicts that they do not know how to
handle or deal with however as a Christians focusing on God’s peacemaking principles within
the scriptures can give you a foundation on where to start. Furthermore, Sande (2002) discusses
how conflict can rob individuals of time, energy, money, as well as opportunities whether that
conflict is in a courtroom, boardroom, church, workplace, or bedroom (p.12). Therefore,
incorporating the four G’s in peacemaking in our lives may be great tools to use effectively to
resolve conflicts in our daily lives and for those individuals that we encounter because not all
conflicts involve us personally.
Glorify God
In I Corinthians 10:31 this scripture gives Christians a mandate or principle to being a
peacemaker that will bring honor not only to God but will reveal the reconciling love and power
of Jesus Christ according to Sande (2002, p.12). I Corinthians 10:31 (NIV) tells us that “So
whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” in addition I
Corinthians 10:32 tells us “Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church
of God.”
For the most part both scriptures makes it clear that in all things that we do it is for the
glory of God therefore being a peacemaker we are glorifying the Lord, his goodness, grace and
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mercy that he has shown us. Therefore, I Corinthians 10:31 is the beginning of building a
foundation for becoming a peacemaker while glorifying God, as a peacemaker we will help to
restore relationships, bring reconciliation between disputing individuals as well as reconciliation
between each party and God. Scriptures, has provided a way for us to overcome our weaknesses
as peacemakers, and teaches us how to respond to conflict constructively.
An example is I Corinthians 10:32, that teaches regardless of what an individual’s
background we are not to cause harm nor to the church of God but to bring peace and harmony
in doing so we are glorifying God. In addition, it is our job as Christians to be peacemakers for
everything we do it is for the glory of God, blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called
children of God. Scripture tells us in 2 Corinthians 5:18 (NIV) All this is from God, who
reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, meaning that
when we bring reconciliation to conflicts we are carrying on the work of Jesus, who is the Prince
of Peace therefore, give Glory to God.
Get the log out of your eye
Get the log out of your eye is the second principle of the four G’s, according to Matthew
7:5 (NIV) “You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly
to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” As peacemakers, we must confess and admit to
our own mistakes and hold ourselves accountable for our own transgressions, we cannot find
fault in our fellow man and not see our own faults. However, individuals will find fault in
someone when there is a conflict but will not see their own mistakes this is what scripture call
being a hypocrite. Subsequently, once and individual can recognize their own hypocrisy only
then can they become effective peacemakers to help others and themselves in conflict resolution.
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Scripture tells us in Luke 6: 37 (NIV) “Do not judge, and you will not be judge. Do not
condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven” when we deal
with conflicts we cannot have our focus on what the other person did if we do not address what
we have done wrong ourselves, we cannot resolve a conflict if we are too busy pointing the
finger at others and not focusing on the changes we need to make.
According to Britton (n.d.), we must look at our own shortcomings, the changes we need
to make because God wants us to focus on our part we may play in a conflict. When being
hypocritical of others, while in denial of our own faults it hinders the effectiveness of conflict
resolution as well as peacemaking efforts. Therefore, we should take inventory of ourselves if
there is to be any conflict resolution we cannot place all blame on the other party without first
looking at the individual in the mirror with faults as well. In addition, Sande (2002) discuss if
we blame others for a problem, they will usually blame in return, when we to remove that log out
of our own eye this will be the only way we can get to the road to conflict resolution (p.78).
Gently Restore
Once an individual give God all the glory, remove the log out of their own eye only can
they move to rectify the damage they have caused in a relationship with their words and or
actions. When an individual can realize the pain and the error of their ways and how their
actions have affected the relationship with others, they can take steps towards peacemaking and
conflict resolution. When we point out an individuals’ contribution to a conflict we must
consider that we cannot come off as being critical of them but according to Galatians 6:1
Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the spirit should restore that
person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.
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According to Baker (2015) when we criticize others for their wrong behavior or sins,
we end up judging them too harshly or too softly, however we should judge others by the same
rule by which we judge ourselves. Scripture encourages us to restore in a spirit of gentleness, we
should help people to identify how they have played a role to a conflict and without sounding
critical and then helping them to find a solution to dissolve the conflict. When there is a conflict
between two people, there can be some bitterness as well as anger among the parties however,
my role is not to condemn either party but to help restore broken relationship. Furthermore,
Matthew 18:15 (NIV) tells us that “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just
between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over, what this means is that
you have should let that individual know what they did to contribute to the conflict but you
should not go with an accusation attitude or pointing fingers. The purpose to confront them is to
build them up not to break them down nor condemn and to confront them with gentleness
because the goal is about restoration.
Go and be reconciled
The last of the four G’s to peacemaking is to go and reconcile your damage relationship
with the individual you have a conflict. According to Matthew, 5:24 (NIV) “Leave your gift
there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.
What this scripture is teaching us on being a peacemaker during a conflict is that we should go
and make peace because peacemaking is the pursuit of genuine forgiveness and reconciliation in
a conflict. However, some individuals may not be open to reconciliation or forgiveness but we
as Christians must be obedient to God’s word and go to restore that broken relationship and
reconcile with the other party but we are not responsible if that individual are not willing to
accept your apology.
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Furthermore, when there is conflict among individuals, it involves several things such as
anger, hurt feelings, and not being able to let go, however Luke 6:27-28 (NIV) tells us that we
should love our enemies, do good to those who hate us, bless those who curse me and pray for
those who mistreat me. No matter the offense, we should forgive that individual, according to
Sande (2002) reconciliation is about forgiving others and making four promises and imitate the
forgiveness and reconciliation that was demonstrated on the cross; you can forgive as the Lord
forgave (p.223).
The four promises of forgiveness are an individual will not dwell on the conflict, they
will not bring up the incident again and use it against you, they will not talk to other about the
incident, and lastly they will not let the conflict stand between them and the other party nor
hinder their relationship (“Four Promises of Forgiveness-Peacemakers,” n.d.). Subsequently,
forgiveness is directly related and an important key to the four G’s to peacemaking, forgiving
others during a conflict is a strength given to all people by God through his words.
God has provided a way for us to overcome our innate weakness as peacemakers and
learn how we should respond to conflict constructively and that solution is the gospel (Sande,
2002, p.13). There is one scripture that we all should study and keep close to our hearts when we
are dealing with conflicts and that is Ephesians 4:29-32 (NIV) “Do not let any unwholesome talk
come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of
God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and
anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one
another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
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Conclusion
Reading Sande’s book and learning about the four G’s to peacemaking was very
informative for me personally. Learning there is a foundation or blueprint available to help o
handle conflict resolution and become an effective peacemaker has been vital to me dealing with
a conflict I have going on now in my life. My intentions are to use these four G’s as well as the
four promises to forgiveness for my conflict resolution.
Furthermore, when dealing with conflict we must understand that we should always
glorify God for scripture tells us in I Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV) “Give thanks in all
circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” Do not be a hypocrite, nor judge
others when you are as guilty as they are for your wrong doings, before pointing out others
transgressions that may have led to the conflict admit to yourself how you have contribute to the
conflict. Lastly, as a peacemaker, we must not condemn but uplift one another, learn to forgive
so that we can move forward to reconciliation.
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Reference
Baker, Ken. (2015). Restore that person gently. Retrieve from http://www.tithebarn.
wordpress.com/2015/03/28/restore-that-person-gently/
Britton, D. (n.d.). Focus on changes you should make: Take the beam out of your own eye first.
Retrieved from http://www.dougbrittonbooks.com/onlinebiblestudies-
personalgrowthanddevelopment/changeyourselffirst-takethebeamoutofyourowneye/
Four Promises of Forgiveness-Peacemakers. (n. d.). Retrieved from
http://peacemaker.net/project/four-promises-of-forgiveness/
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