The world is not a peaceful place. All you need to do is turn on the nightly news or go online to see reports of violence both overseas and in your own country. Countries are at war, and children are being caught in the crossfire. In our own neighborhoods, people don’t trust each other because of all of the conflict that is happening around us.

Peace is one of the fruits of the spirit, according to the Bible. Peace is not just about getting rid of war, though that would be wonderful. Peace is not just about the absence of conflict. Peace, God’s peace, is about the presence of Christ in my life. It is God’s promises appropriated by faith, that produce the peace of God.

Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Don’t let your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” Jesus’ peace is about a lifestyle of tranquility regardless of what the outside world is doing. The world cannot give us this peace. This peace comes from God.

Because of Jesus’ peace, though, we are called to be peacemakers. Jesus called the peacemakers blessed in his Sermon on the Mount. It’s a big job to bring peace to a world full of violence, but God calls us to bring His peace to others who desperately need it. With peace, we can reach our world in our generation!This is Luis Palau.