Peace is a universal concept, found in the Bible, in Christ’s teachings and in the exhortations of the New Testament. Jesus preached about peace. He said “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God” and that “…the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give” (John 14:27). We can find a lot of what the Bible has to say about peace throughout the New Testament—not just in Jesus’ words, but also in the writing of the apostles and other New Testament authors. It’s clear that peace is central to the message of the gospel.
What does the Bible say about Peace in Christ?
Throughout the Bible, the writers show us the power of peace—of reconciliation between God and Man, and between humans and each other. When Jesus came, He was a symbol of peace and reconciliation—He was called “Prince of Peace” and said He came to bring peace on Earth. In the New Testament, we see this idea expanded. Jesus says “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16: 33). In this way, Jesus brings us peace through His death, which reconciles us to God and brings us back into God’s perfect presence. The writer of the letter to the Hebrews tells us to “pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another” (Hebrews 12:14). We are to seek peace with each other within the body of Christ.
The Bible also speaks about the Kingdom of God and the peace and righteousness that will come to us when the Kingdom of God is fully realized. The Psalms tell us that in the Kingdom of God there will be “righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Romans 14:17). We will have the same peace that Jesus brought to us, eternal peace that transcends anything this world can offer. That peace is freely available to us now as believers—we just have to accept it, to open our hearts and minds to Christ and trust in His love.
The Bible does not just talk about us having peace—it also tells us to actively share our peace with others. Jesus says in the book of Matthew “Blessed are the peace-makers, for they shall be called sons of God” (Matthew 5:9). This passage tells us that by actively pursuing and spreading peace, we are following in the footsteps of Jesus and acting as His sons. We should be actively seeking to bring peace into the lives of others—through words, actions, and our example.
The New Testament teaches that peace comes through our faith in Jesus. This peace extends well beyond this physical life. We can have assurance that, in Christ, we are forgiven and have peace with God. This peace allows us to live our lives confidently, joyfully, and peacefully, knowing that our sins have been forgiven and that our future with God is secure. This peace is available to anyone who puts their faith in Jesus—believers and non-believers alike.
So what does the Bible actually say about peace in Christ? In the Bible, we see that peace is central to the gospel message. We learn that Jesus brings us peace through His death, that the Kingdom of God will bring peace and righteousness when it is fully realized, and that we are to share our peace with others. Ultimately, the Bible teaches us that peace is available to us through our faith in Jesus and that it is an everlasting peace that transcends anything this world can offer.
The Nature of Peace in Christ
What is the nature of this peace that we find in Jesus? The peace in Christ is not an absence of conflict or turmoil, but rather a supernatural peace that surpasses understanding. It is a peace that transcends the temporal, physical, and mental obstacles that are common in this world. It is a peace that comes from knowing that our sins are forgiven and that we are adopted into God’s family.
This peace is not merely a feeling—it is a way of life in which we have access to the power of God through faith. We have a moral and ethical responsibility to cultivate this peace in our lives, in our relationships with others, and in all aspects of our behavior. This means that, even in difficult times, we can find comfort in knowing that our peace in Jesus is unmatched and, no matter what storms arise around us, our peace remains.
Having faith in Jesus also gives us the ability to have a calm assurance and confidence while facing the unknown. Our relationship with Jesus and our peace in Him provide us with a sense of comfort and acceptance that nothing else in this world can offer us. We know that God is in control, and His peace is a steadying influence in our lives.
Finally, our peace in Christ is a tangible change in our hearts and souls. The peace of Jesus brings with it a unity with God and with others that is unmatched and unprecedented. We can be assured of the love of God for us and the love of those around us. This peace brings us closer to God and helps us to love each other better.
The Benefits of Peace in Christ
The Bible tells us that having faith in Jesus brings with it numerous blessings, many of which come with the peace of Jesus. One major blessing is that, in Jesus, we can have assurance of salvation and eternal peace. Knowing that our eternal destination is secure brings us peace in the present. In Jesus, we can have confidence that when life gets tough, God will provide us with strength and security.
The peace of Jesus also brings us closer to God and to others. We become aware of God’s perfect love for us, and our relationship with Him grows stronger. This peace also extends to our relationships with others. We can have an understanding of the peace that binds us together in the body of Christ and be unified in faith. We can love one another in a deeper, more meaningful way, knowing that peace rests in our union.
On a more practical level, the peace that comes with Jesus enables us to handle the struggles of life more effectively. A life in Christ will give us a peace that allows us to face the difficulties that come our way with confidence and grace. We are no longer bound by the limited resources of the world, but rather by the unlimited peace of Jesus. This peace gives us the ability to overcome our fears and anxieties and to focus on trusting in God rather than the limited resources of this world.
The peace of Christ also brings about mental transformation. Jesus teaches us to trust in Him and to surrender our lives to Him. We gain a better perspective on our circumstances and gain an understanding of how to use God’s power to deal with our problems. We no longer feel alone in our difficulties, as the peace of Jesus gives us a strength and assurance that our worries can be lifted and that our pain and suffering can be overcome.
The Power of Peace in Christ
Peace in Jesus has the power to change people’s lives and bring healing and wholeness. In faith, we can overcome the turmoil and distress that can plague us. We can open our hearts and minds and be changed by the hope that comes with our faith in Jesus. This hope allows us to live life confidently and joyfully, knowing that our years will be full of peace and joy.
While it may at times be difficult to understand God’s plan for our lives, our peace in Jesus allows us to trust in Him and to accept our lives. This peace unleashes a power in us that can move mountains and bring us closer to God and to each other. We can realize our full potential and find true joy when our lives are delicately knit to God’s perfect plan for us.
The peace that comes with Jesus also brings us into a whole new level of understanding. We can learn to see the world through His eyes and appreciate the beauty and complexity of His creation. We can see how each of us brings something unique and special to this world. We can realize that truly life is a grand adventure when linked to the beautiful peace of Jesus.
Finally, our peace in Jesus is a source of strength and comfort that is unparalleled. The peace that comes from knowing Jesus allows us to tap into the divine power of the Almighty. When faced with the storms of life, this peace allows us to find strength and peace in knowing that our future is secure and that all our needs will be provided for. This peace is a blessed assurance that the world has yet to comprehend and understand.
The Call for Peace in Christ
Jesus calls for us to actively pursue peace. He encourages us to “blessed are the peacemakers” loving others in a way that is meaningful (Matthew 5:9). Jesus absorbed the hatred and bitterness of the world and loved us despite it all. Because of this, we can joyfully extend grace and peace to those around us, knowing that our actions are grounded in the perfect love of Jesus.
Additionally, Jesus tells us in the Bible that we should seek out opportunities to bring peace to our world, to our neighbors, and to ourselves. By actively advocating for peace and emphasizing the importance of its positive effects, we can be advocates for Jesus and His teachings. By actively pursuing peace and understanding, we can bring a contemplative presence to difficult situations that can help bring resolution and reconciliation.
Ultimately, the call for peace is a call for us to foster, protect, and nurture our relationships with each other. To do this, we need to invest our time, energy, and resources into cultivating a peaceful atmosphere by avoiding chaos and discord. We should surround ourselves with people and activities that bring comfort, peace, and joy. By making peace and harmony our goal, we can represent the beauty of Jesus and glorify Him in word and deed.
God’s perfect peace is available to us all the time, even in the midst of our greatest struggles. The Bible says that “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7). May we each pursue this peace today and make it our aim to bring it to our lives and to the world that Jesus loves.