• The atomic bomb brought a swift end to World War II sixty-three years ago. The whole world welcomed the peace (?).
• For forty-some years Yugoslavia enjoyed peace (?) under the strong communist dictator Tito. Many years later, with the butchery going on among the various ethnic groups of Croatia and Bosnia, did we understand what simmering hatred Tito was able to suppress?
• Many husbands and wives fight. Their children’s lives are torn up until in some cases peace (?) is restored through divorce.

Now compare these with the following examples:

• Unhappy marriage partners quit quarreling, and lusting after others, choose to love unconditionally, and together provide a secure environment for their family.
• Minds troubled by unhappy childhoods, abuse, and disadvantage come to rest and make a positive contribution to their communities. No one with whom they associate could guess what they were like before.
• Where ethnic hatred divided communities, some are born again and form a community where formerly warring clans blend to bless and enrich one another’s lives.

Obviously not all peace is the same. Jesus made that very clear when He told His disciples: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27).

The world’s peace doesn’t deal with the heart but only surface conflicts. Real peace in our lives and communities has to begin by making peace with God individually. And it has to be the work of Christ, not something we work out on our own. To qualify for real peace, we must believe the Gospel, repent of our sin, and totally surrender to the lordship of Jesus Christ. “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1). Jesus’ death for our sins satisfied the demands of justice. He is now able to offer us reconciliation with Holy God in response to our faith. It is because folks don’t want to surrender to Christ that they keep muddling along with patently unsatisfactory lives, endless conflicts, mental turmoil, and unhealthy emotions-peace (?) that the world gives.

Christ came to bring “Peace on earth.” Over 2000 years later folks are still wondering whether the angels were just chanting some unreal ideal that night when Christ was born. No, your peace can be real. If you are ready to sell out to Christ, you may find it in Him, be at peace with everyone, and experience its fullness within His church.

-by Dallas Witmer