What is peace, a biblical peace? It is not merely the absence of outward conflict. Two people may call a truce to hostilities while they yet despise one another. The enmity between them has not been removed. Nor is biblical peace a union of two opposing parties at any price. For example, when the Pharisees and the Sadducees joined hands in order to destroy Christ, we would hardly describe that union as one of peace. These factions despised one another, but they came together to fight a common enemy—Jesus Christ. Biblical peace begins with removing that barrier of sin that separates God and man by way of God's forgiveness, so that they are reconciled through the death of Christ. Any other concept of peace is a false peace and an unbiblical peace.
Man is at war with God, and therefore, at war with one another. Before the world will know true peace and cast away its hatred, riots, and violence, it must first receive by faith alone, Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace. All other attempts at peace (whether political, economic, or educational solutions) are doomed to failure and will result in confusion and destruction rather than in a true, lasting peace. |
