How can there be peace?

Peace. Those millions living in war zones and lands in civil wars crave peace. Those who endure lesser- but no less real – conflicts at work, in their neighbourhoods, and even within their families, crave for peace. Those who are tormented by disordered thoughts and emotions also long for inner peace. At some point, which of us has not cried out inwardly or outwardly: “Enough! Let the conflict cease and let peace reign!”

We can trace the source of all strife and conflict back down the millennia to the early stage of human history. Then, the first human couple, Adam and Eve, made a foolish decision: they chose to reject the authority and rule of God, their creator. Tragically, the judgment incurred by their sin (wrongdoing against God) has played out ever since, affecting every human being and every human society. Men and women are at odds with each other, with themselves, and with the natural world. The root of this? We are at odds with God.

Out of sheer grace, God did not leave it there. He stepped into the dire, hopeless situation. He provided the means to restore peace. Peace could be restored only by dealing once and for all with the ultimate barrier to peace: our guilt and sin. So He sent his unique Son (Jesus Christ) to remove the penalty we should pay for all our wrongdoing. He died the death of a criminal (although he never did a single thing wrong against God or man) to set people free from the penalty and power of sin. All those who acknowledge their guilt, turn away from their sin, and place their faith in Jesus as their rescuer, will be restored to a relationship with God. The effect of putting our faith in Jesus Christ is to have our sin forgiven and the record of guilt and sin wiped clean – as if we never had never disobeyed God. The hostility and alienation between God and the forgiven person disappears. The foremost gift bestowed upon that person is peace. Peace with God then overflows into peace within their hearts and minds, and (as far as it is up to them) peace with other people. 

We long and pray for peace between the nations, within communities, and within families. But we know that true and lasting peace is built on the decisions of individual people to turn back to God. In this world, true peace will always be fragile, elusive and in short supply because, sadly, many people  reject Christ’s work, so lasting peace remains elusive for them and consequently for our world. But all those who belong to Jesus Christ will one day live for ever in a new heaven and a new earth, where perfect peace will abide, because that will be the kingdom over which the Prince of Peace will rule, and all its inhabitants will joyfully accept his rule, for ever.

Seek peace with God now, while you can!