³³ “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”

Peace in Christ derives from the most relevant truth for our day, Christ is peace. The young unbeliever adamantly opposed to the existence of God asserts, “How can there possibly be a God, a good God, when there is so much hatred, murder, abuse and war in the world.” Indeed, his premise is right on target, but his conclusion misses the mark.

To support the premise, one need not look far in Scripture, for no later than the third chapter (out of 1189 chapters in the Bible) conflict arises in the Garden, with guilt and interpersonal tension between Adam and Eve over a piece of fruit. To be sure, the causative issue was much greater than the fruit—which is emblematic of all conflict; the presenting problem is usually not the real issue.

The next chapter brings the first murder, Cain’s aggression toward Abel. The rest, as they say, is history. Civilizations rise and civilizations fall – all with violence and bloodshed. The Roman Empire, as an example, has left behind a multitude of monuments dedicated to conquests of various military “heroes” carved in marble to testify proudly of victories over the vanquished enemies.

Caesar Augustus, the first emperor of Rome reigned from 27 B.C. to 14 A.D, even though he himself was not primarily a military man, but was supported by Marcus Agrippa, one of the greatest of Roman generals. The longest reigning emperor (41 years), he died at age 75, under somewhat suspicious circumstances (many believe he was fed a poisoned fig by his wife). His famous last words reportedly were, “Have I played the part well? Then applaud as I exit.” The month of August in our calendars was named after him. Yet, while he unified and solidified Rome’s hold on ancient Europe and the Mediterranean, his history is splattered with bloodshed.

There was “Pax Romana” (Roman Peace), historians tell us, but it was a peace that required an iron fist and a huge army. Augustus was not the Prince of Peace. For despite his accomplishments, his efforts could not bring inner peace either to himself or anyone else. His own family was fraught with difficulty, multiple marriages, his beloved daughter Julia’s promiscuous lifestyle and his own pride and need for approval.

Only Christ can bring inner peace, whose birth was announced by angels, “On earth peace, good will to all men” (NKJV). For He is peace

Lord, I bring my anxious thoughts to You because You promised that the peace of God will guard my heart and mind through Christ Jesus (Phil 4:6-7).