Articles
Will There Ever Be Lasting World Peace?
"What question would you ask God if you could talk to him?" The fourth most asked question, according to a survey in the Tampa Tribune, 4) "Will there ever be lasting world peace?"
The key to this question is "lasting world peace". There may be short periods of time that this world will have no wars or battles going on, however, it will not be "lasting". In fact, the idea of "lasting world peace" was never promised by Jesus Christ. Jesus said, "Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man's foes shall be they of his own household" (Matthew 10:34-36).
What sort of peace did Jesus offer? "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). Jesus offered peace of mind in a world of war. Earlier in this chapter Jesus said, "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also" (John 14:1-3). Lasting peace will only be in heaven with God.
Jesus promised "peace" of mind, but never promised "lasting world peace". Notice again what Jesus said, "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world" (John 16:33). Yes, we live in a world of “tribulation”. But those that are Christians have peace in Christ.
As long as there are sinful men on this earth (and as long as the earth remains there will be sinful men) there will be wars. Why? "From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not" (James 4:1-2).
How might we as individuals have the peace that Jesus spoke of? "The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)...Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Acts 10:36; Romans 5:1). "Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:4-7).
