The Gospel Is Central to Peacemaking: Becoming Like Christ in Conflict Part 2



When we think about conflict resolution, it’s easy to jump straight to techniques: communication strategies, boundaries, negotiation tools. And while these can be useful, they are not enough. At the heart of true, lasting peace—especially among believers—is not a method but a message: the gospel.

In The Peacemaker, Ken Sande wisely reminds us that the gospel is central to peacemaking. The good news of Jesus doesn’t just tell us what to do in conflict; it transforms who we are in the midst of it. Without the gospel, peacemaking becomes a performance. With the gospel, peacemaking becomes a reflection—of Christ, of grace, of redemption.

Let’s explore how the gospel shapes our peacemaking at every level.

1. The Gospel Shows Us How We Were Reconciled to God

(Colossians 1:20 – “...and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.”)

Before we talk about reconciliation with people, we must remember our own reconciliation with God. The Bible tells us that we were once enemies of God—alienated, rebellious, spiritually dead. But through the blood of Jesus, peace was made. Jesus absorbed the full weight of our sin so that we could be brought near.

This is the foundation of all Christian peacemaking: we have already experienced the greatest reconciliation possible. That means we approach human conflict not from a place of fear or scarcity, but from the security of being deeply loved, fully forgiven, and eternally accepted.

When our hearts are anchored in what Jesus has done for us, we no longer have to fight to prove ourselves or win battles for our worth. We’ve already been reconciled to the One whose opinion matters most. From this place of peace with God, we can extend peace to others.

2. The Gospel Teaches Us to Forgive as We’ve Been Forgiven

(Ephesians 4:32 – “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”)

Forgiveness may be one of the hardest aspects of peacemaking. When we’re hurt, we want justice. We want acknowledgment. Sometimes we want revenge. But the gospel offers a different path—one shaped by grace.

How can we forgive people who don’t deserve it? By remembering how we were forgiven when we didn’t deserve it. The cross is not only the means of our forgiveness; it’s the measure of it.

When we’re slow to forgive, it’s usually because we’ve lost sight of the staggering grace we’ve received. But when the gospel is fresh in our hearts, forgiveness becomes a natural (though not easy) overflow. We aren’t minimizing the offense or denying the pain—we’re simply choosing to release the debt, just as Christ did for us.

Forgiveness doesn’t mean instant reconciliation or absence of boundaries, but it does mean refusing to let bitterness grow. And it starts by soaking our hearts again in the mercy of God.

3. The Gospel Calls Us to Humble Ourselves in Confession

In every conflict, there’s usually fault on both sides—even if it’s 90/10. But our flesh wants to focus on the other person’s 90 and ignore our own 10. The gospel, however, flips that script.

Because our identity is in Christ, we no longer need to defend, deflect, or deny our sin. We can own it. We can confess it freely because we know it’s already been paid for at the cross.

Confession, then, is not shameful—it’s liberating. It’s the way we walk in the light and restore relationships. When we say, “I was wrong. I sinned against you. Will you forgive me?” we are living out the very heart of the gospel.

Humility in conflict is not weakness; it’s Christlikeness. Jesus humbled Himself all the way to the cross. Should we not humble ourselves in honest confession for the sake of peace?

4. The Gospel Enables Us to Extend Grace When We’re Wronged

Grace is unearned favor. When someone wrongs us, grace says, “I choose to respond not based on your actions, but based on the grace I’ve received from Christ.”

That doesn’t mean ignoring sin or tolerating abuse. It means responding with gentleness instead of harshness, compassion instead of contempt. It means seeking the other’s good—even when they don’t seek yours.

This kind of grace-filled response is only possible through the power of the Holy Spirit. And it is only motivated by the deep awareness that we were loved while we were still sinners (Romans 5:8). That’s the kind of love that makes enemies into family—and it’s the kind of love we’re called to show in conflict.

Peacemaking Is Not Just a Skill—It’s a Reflection of Christ

Ken Sande puts it plainly: peacemaking is not just about techniques—it’s about becoming like Christ.

Jesus is the ultimate Peacemaker. He bridged the greatest divide. He bore the cost of reconciliation. He taught truth with compassion, forgave His enemies, and brought people together through the power of the cross.

When we pursue peace, we aren’t just solving problems—we’re embodying the gospel. Every hard conversation, every act of forgiveness, every humble confession becomes a living sermon that points people to Jesus.

So as we face conflict—whether in marriage, friendship, church, or the workplace—let us not merely ask, “What should I do?” Let us ask, “How can I reflect Christ here?”

Because in the end, peacemaking isn’t about controlling outcomes—it’s about being conformed to the image of our Savior. And that’s a calling worth embracing.

 

 

Inspired by Ken Sande’s The Peacemaker—a timeless guide to living out the gospel of peace in everyday life.

 

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