Scriptures About Peace

    

“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful." John 14:27

The words of Jesus two thousand years ago ring through my head as I survey the chaos of this world and wonder what it really means to be a Christian in this post-modern world. Over the last several years, decades even, there has been a war waged on our words. Language and culture have collided and the result of ideological movements like deconstructionism have led to an era of believers who know the words of Scripture but now find those same words meaning much different things in the culture we relate to.

So, now, how does one know what it means to live in biblical peace?

Let’s start by setting all the cards out on the table. The word “peace” in Scripture has a very different meaning that the word “peace” has in our culture. If we are honest, when people use the word “peace” in the culture, they want us as Christians to not make waves, they want us to acquiesce our convictions for the sake of their comfort, they want tolerance and acceptance, regardless of the situation. And should we startle the status quo of modern culture, then we find ourselves being branded as peace takers instead of peacekeepers, and how dare we not be peaceable and call ourselves Christians.

The struggle comes because the world has taken the word “peace” and removed the Biblical definition, rebranded the word according to their standards, then turned around and gotten Christians to use the word with their meaning.

It’s time we step into Scripture, understand the meaning of peace, and the power and spirit behind it and live according to Scripture not society.

As Christians then, our focus and understanding of peace must be within the context, behavior and revelation given to us in Scripture. If Jesus is the Prince of Peace, if He is our Peace and He has given us His peace then it would stand to reason that living in Biblical peace means living life in Christ, like Christ, and sharing Christ with the world.

It also stands to reason why as Christians we struggle to live in the world. If we have Jesus and are His followers, we as children of light struggle in the world full of darkness. Light and dark don’t mix. They clash, and therefore there is not peace between the two of them.

It’s not that Christians aren’t being peaceful, but rather because Christians are full of peace (essentially full of Christ) they stand as a light against the world of darkness and the culture is not comfortable with us.

Our job as Christ followers is to be the salt and light to the world. To be a peace maker in a Biblical sense means that we are bringing Christ to others, sharing the Gospel with them and bridging them into a relationship with Christ, so they too can have Peace, not necessarily an emotion, but the Person who is Peace.

To be a peacekeeper in a biblical sense means we are abiding in Christ, keeping Christ in our conversations, community, and convictions. We are aligning with Christ in all things and walking in the Spirit as we engage with this world.

Living in biblical peace does not mean our circumstances are simple, without conflict and hassle free, but rather, we have the presence of God with us in all situations we face so we can engage in the environments as Christ would.

As this culture grows more hostile to the Christian world, we must remember it is not because it’s a personal attack against us, but rather it is a battle of evil against righteousness, and the conflict ensues when we stand for righteousness in a world full of evil. Peace is not necessarily an absence of conflict, but rather the focus amid conflicts. Are we leading people into awareness of and relationship with God or away from Him?

We can engage in the conversations of this world with grace and truth, bringing hope to people in desperate need of Jesus while we lead them to the Person who can bring peace for their soul. And we must remember that we represent God to this world, so we ought not be surprised when we are not well received, when we feel uncomfortable in the world, and when the culture pushes back against the convictions we hold in Scripture.

For more study on the topic of peace and what Scripture has to say about it, we've collected for you these 31 Scriptures on the topic of peace. Scroll down the page to download a free printable page to use in your Bible study or reading time.

Download this free printable "Peace" Scripture Reading List to use in your Bible study / reading time. Once printed, fold the page in half to create a beautiful and functional bookmark. 

Natalia Drumm is a graduate student at Dallas Theological Seminary and founder and creator of Girlfriends in the Word™ where she leads Bible study groups and produces study books and resources for busy women to grow in God’s Word. She also writes for Lifeway Women, A Wife Like Me and Sweet to the Soul. Visit her website at www.nataliadrumm.com.