The Christian and Peace
The Christian view of peace begins not with emotions, politics, or human reconciliation, but with the deepest reality of all: peace with God through Jesus Christ. Every other form of peace—peace within creation, peace among nations, peace between people—flows from this first and foundational peace. Asking what the Christian view of peace is requires tracing how the Bible describes peace with God, peace within the church, and the promised final peace that will fill the whole earth at Christ’s return. The Christian view of peace is both present and future: already experienced in Christ, yet not fully realized in the world until the consummation of his kingdom.
Isaiah calls Jesus the “Prince of Peace” (Isa. 9:6). His first coming brings peace with heaven. His second coming brings the spread of that peace to the whole creation. These two advents shape the Christian understanding of what peace is and where it is heading.
Peace With God: The Foundation of All Christian Peace
The Christian view of peace begins here: God ends his war with humanity through Christ. Scripture speaks of peace as “the cessation of hostilities between warring parties,” including the conflict between God and sinners. Humanity was estranged from God, hostile in mind, and enemies because of sin (Rom. 8:7; Col. 1:21). The reason people need peace with God is not simply because they feel distant from him, but because the human heart was genuinely at enmity with its Creator.
Romans 5:1–2 provides the clearest statement:
“Since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
We no longer war with God because Christ bore our judgment. Justification by faith ends hostility, reconciles us to God, and brings us into the realm of grace. Paul continues:
“Through Christ we have also obtained access… into this grace in which we stand.”
Peace, therefore, is not a vague spiritual calm. It is a legal, covenantal transformation—God declares sinners righteous, adopts them as children, and invites them into his presence. Peace with God is the root; all other Christian peace is the fruit.
This means the Christian view of peace is not sentimental. It is not “inner tranquility” detached from truth. It is the restoration of a relationship broken by sin and repaired by Christ’s atoning work. This peace, rooted in the cross, is the defining reality of Christian identity.
Peace With Each Other: How Peace With God Shapes God’s People
Once peace with God is established, it reshapes the community of believers. The Christian view of peace insists that peace among Christians is not optional—it is the expected result of God’s reconciling grace. Paul develops this theme in Romans 15:1–7, where he applies peace to the life of the church.
Believers who are strong in faith have obligations:
To bear with the failings of the weak
Not to please themselves
To please their neighbor for his good, to build him up
Why? Because Christ himself did not please himself. Paul cites Psalm 69:9:
“The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.”
Christ absorbed hostility so that his people might live in harmony.
Paul continues:
“Whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.”
Peace in the church comes through shared endurance, Scripture-fed encouragement, and hope shaped by God’s promises.
Then Paul prays:
“May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another… that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
The Christian view of peace includes unity of worship and unity of witness. The aim is not uniformity but harmony—diverse people glorifying God together.
Finally:
“Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you.”
The Christian view of peace requires hospitality, acceptance, and a willingness to put aside personal preferences for the sake of mutual upbuilding. This peace, however, is not extended indiscriminately to the world. Scripture is clear that the world remains at enmity with God (John 15:18–19). Peace among believers is a sign of the coming kingdom, not a description of the world as it currently is.
Peace With the World: The Future Consummation of Peace
The Christian view of peace includes a breathtaking future promise: God’s peace will eventually fill the whole earth. This is the vision of Isaiah 11:1–11. The passage begins with the Messiah:
“There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse…”
Jesus, the Davidic King, brings righteousness and equity to the earth.
“With righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth.”
His reign includes justice, truth, and holy authority.
“He shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth.”
Those who oppose God’s peace cannot remain; the Messiah removes wickedness so that peace may flourish.
Isaiah’s imagery then moves to creation itself:
“The wolf shall dwell with the lamb… the leopard shall lie down with the young goat… the calf and the lion… and a little child shall lead them.”
The Christian view of peace looks toward a renewed world where hostility—both moral and natural—is undone.
Even the most dangerous creatures become harmless:
“The nursing child shall play over the hole of the cobra… they shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain.”
Why?
“For the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.”
This is the consummated kingdom: peace with God extends to peace with one another and finally becomes peace with creation itself.
Paul echoes this hope in Romans 11:26, where he describes the future salvation of God’s people—Jews and Gentiles together—under the reign of Christ. The restoration of God’s people is tied to the restoration of the world.
The Christian view of peace therefore includes:
Peace already achieved with God
Peace presently commanded within the church
Peace not yet realized across the world
Peace ultimately fulfilled when Christ returns
This “already/not yet” pattern flows directly from Jesus’s two comings: his incarnation inaugurates peace, his return consummates it.
Living in the Tension: Peace in the Present Age
The Christian view of peace admits a difficult reality: peace is real and present for believers, yet incomplete in the world. Christians experience peace with God now, peace with one another now, but they still wait for full peace on earth. The world remains hostile, divided, and violent. Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble,” yet immediately added, “But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
Christians live between the victory of Christ’s resurrection and the fullness of his kingdom. They embody peace now as a sign of the future peace coming to the whole world. Their lives should point toward the Prince of Peace who has come and will come again.
Bible Verses About Peace
“Since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God.” (Romans 5:1)
“Let us pursue what makes for peace and mutual upbuilding.” (Romans 14:19)
“Welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you.” (Romans 15:7)
“Blessed are the peacemakers.” (Matthew 5:9)
“He himself is our peace.” (Ephesians 2:14)
“In me you may have peace.” (John 16:33)
“The wolf shall dwell with the lamb.” (Isaiah 11:6)
“They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain.” (Isaiah 11:9)
“Great peace have those who love your law.” (Psalm 119:165)
“The God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4:9)
