George MacDonald on being “a peacemaker”

George Macdonald writes in the chapter “A Family of Peacemakers,” the six beatitudes preceding this one “have their place between the individual and His Father in heaven.” This beatitude on peacemaking, he says, sees God “as the God of other men also.” (Knowing the Heart of God, 171)
To be peacemakers, we must also not be found lacking in the self-knowledge that recognizes our own flaws. … Only when our actions and our words are motivated by love, by the compassion and empathy that spring from an accurate and humble view of ourselves, can we begin to be peacemakers. “For without love,” MacDonald writes, “there can be no peacemaking, and words will but occasion more strife. Until we genuinely love, we must say nothing, for fear our words may be somehow an attempt to elevate our own self. And while awaiting words—though the time for them may never come—we can always, indeed, we must always be kind.” (Knowing the Heart of God, 175)
For Jesus says, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you” (KJV John 14:27). Christ gives the gift of peace; we place it on the altar when we share it with the world. And when we share it, if we share it, we must be motivated by love and fairness and patience. (from Power of Yielding, chapter “Our Gift.”)