“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27 (NKJV)
“These things I have spoken to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 (NKJV)
It seems that there is a lot of effort going on in the world to bring about peace but little positive results. Perhaps the main reason is that “peace” can only be achieved if everyone is agreeable to do things “my” way. That generally means that “I” will stop fighting when “I” am in control. World peace can only come if every one truly decides to stop trying to control someone else. Without that leaders will always have to protect those who follow them against forces that wish to dominate and rule over them.
Can you imagine a world where it is not necessary to have armies or police forces because no one is trying to do anyone any harm? Sounds like utopia doesn’t it? What would it be like if billions of dollars spent on defense could be used to better the lives of those who need it? Many people want what other people have and are willing to use force to get it. Is it unreasonable to think that real peace is possible? It could only happen if you could change human nature.
Jesus understood that there will never be peace on earth as long as man insists on having his own way. Jesus knew that peace of mind and heart is the only peace possible as long as we live on this planet where God has given man a “free will.” That is the peace Jesus is talking about in the above verses. Peace can only come when human selfishness is eliminated. This can only happen when there is a change in human nature. Human nature can change only when it is submitted to God. (James 4:7-10) It can only be submitted to God by our choice to do so. Jesus never forces us to obey and follow Him. But, when we make the choice to do that it will bring us peace that passes understanding. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”