I am a Jesus pusher!!! “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God” (Matthew 5:9). The verb of the statement is “shall be called.” It is in the indicative mood, which means it is a simple statement of fact without argument. It has a passive voice, which means sons or they (the subject) are not responsible for the action of the calling. This presupposes that God is the actor of the calling. The source of being a son is not “peacemaking.” The source of being a son comes from God. This removes it from all earnings, performance, or self-promotion. Today’s English Version translates this statement, “God will call them his children!” (Matthew 5:9).
The Greek word “kaleo,” translated shall be called, is used in a variety of ways. However, in this context, it is used in the sense of “to call to any station, appoint, or choose.” Paul used this in reference to his position as an apostle to the Gentiles (Galatians 1:15). The Hebrews writer said, “And no man takes this honor to himself, but he who is called by God, just as Aaron was” (Hebrews 5:4). The idea of “shall be called” means “to become.” This is verified by many Old Testament examples. In the prophecy of Isaiah, God said, “For My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations” (Isaiah 56:7). God told Abraham, “For in Isaac your seed shall be called” (Genesis 21:12). We are “sons of God” not because we are peacemakers. We are “sons of God” because of the intense desire coming from the heart of God as He calls us. I am a Jesus pusher!!!