Peace, the peace of God, is not primarily a feeling. Although it brings a relief from stress, a quiet conscience and peaceful emotions - it has substance. It cannot be manufactured by candles or music (although they may produce a sense of calm or tranquillity). Peace is a declaration that war is over. It is based on a clear victory and evidenced by a cease-fire, the laying down of arms and a willing acceptance that the victor has the right to rule.

When Jesus died, He dealt a death blow to the rules and regulations of the Jewish law (which nobody could keep anyway). So, all those who relied on keeping the law, were trading in obsolete currency, and could never gain any assurance of peace with God. God is pleased only by people trusting in Jesus, whatever might have been their previous religious habit. Jews are no better or different to Gentiles: it is faith in Jesus which matters. But those differences in generations of pious religious habits caused so much friction in social groups in the 1st century ... and all so unnecessarily, because peace for everybody only comes by trusting in Jesus.

Peace with God can only come through trusting Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1). He personally took the blame for all of our rebellion which has previously made us enemies of God (Colossians 1:21). Peace between us and God is only possible because Jesus' death appeased His anger against our sins (Hebrews 2:17). That is true whatever religious background somebody may have come from. His purpose is to create a new people who belong to Him and who are shaped by Him (Titus 2:14). Wherever we have come from we have a common Father, Saviour, hope and faith to which God's love has given birth. We are here to work together and to show the world that our peace comes through Jesus alone.

Today, despite aggressively vocal attacks from a few secularists, religion is booming. As differences become evident it is good to know that God has provided a way of peace for everybody. Since Christ's death there is no set of rules that will bring us to peace with God - only Jesus can do that. Let us live it out with our brothers and sisters; and let us speak it out as we announce Jesus the only Mediator between God and humanity (1 Timothy 2:5). Peace is so much needed, so little seen and at the core of genuine Christian discipleship. As the world around us sees that we love our brothers and sisters despite many differences, they will have some idea that Jesus really does bring peace (John 13:35). When they ask how it is possible, be ready with an answer which centres on Jesus (1 Peter 3:15-16).