Seems you can’t turn on a radio or a TV these days without hearing some news about Iraq and an impending war. As usual, opinions are divided on the issue. There are those who vehemently oppose war and those who believe war is the only solution. All this deliberating begs the question, “Is world peace possible?”
Many socio-economic factors could be considered in trying to answer this age old question. Due to the melting-pot nature of most modern cities and the ever increasing inter-twining of the global economy, war has become a complex issue. No longer is it a case of one country or one nationality versus another of another nationality.
The strongholds of inbred hatred all around the globe would be another factor worth considering. From Ireland to Bosnia, from Africa to Indonesia the examples are numerous and varied. Some involve skin color, some involve religion and others need neither God nor pigmentation to incite violence.
The issues abound. Balance of power? Trade agreements.? Long standing treaties? Economic gain? Countless books have been written to address the effects of these factors and a myriad of others on the subject of war and peace. No doubt the ink hasn’t run dry yet.
Though all the postulating and speculation of world experts may provide good fodder for the media, it will never change the truth of scripture
John 10:10
“The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy…”
It Is Written that there is a thief that lives only for the purposes of stealing, killing and destroying. Though this thief has many names in the Bible: Devil, Satan, Baal, Serpent, Accuser, Lucifer, etc. , his purposes are always the same – to steal, kill and destroy. This provides a simple answer to our question, “Is world peace possible?” As long as the thief is around, the answer must be, “No”. Hatred and war are much too important weapons in his arsenal for him to ever put them aside.
The peace that Jesus Christ came to give has nothing to do with the absence of war. It is a peace on the inside – akin to the verse in the Bible that says, “if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.” (Psalm 139:8) In the middle of all the chaos and confusion of the world, the peace that he gives remains undisturbed. It is not dependent on circumstances. It lasts.
World peace, in the sense of our original question, may only be achieved when every person accepts the peace of Jesus Christ. However, the Bible says that the thief will do whatever he can to prevent this. It is only with the return of Christ and the destruction of the Devil that such peace will ever be possible. Until then, Iraq is just the flavor of the month.
All modern theorizing aside, there will always be wars and rumors of wars. The world will continue to groan at the beck and call of The Evil One. Despite all the havoc the thief would incite, any man, woman or child can turn to the Lord Jesus Christ and live in complete peace, confident in the knowledge that the current situation is temporary.