'Peace', in the Bible, is not primarily a warm emotional feeling or sense of relaxation, but the absence of hostility. So, 'peace with God' is a declaration that God is not angry with us because our sin is forgiven as we welcome His love and repent, trusting in the sacrifice of Jesus. Peace comes when anger goes. That is also true about our human relationships, but it needs sin to be dealt with and not covered up.

God the Father is the God of Peace who crushes the enmity which Satan brings between us and God and other people (Romans 16:20). God the Son is the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). The purpose of Jesus Christ is to bring peace through His blood (Colossians 1:19-21), although many people continue to resist His peace-making (Luke 19:41-43). Peace-making is in the Father's nature and in the Son's commission. It is also in God the Holy Spirit's nature (Galatians 5:22), and through Him it becomes a part of the believer's nature too (Romans 8:6).

Peace-makers put themselves between two warring parties. It is a dangerous position because either might decide that the peace-maker is the enemy! But without help, hatred (which is endemic in the human heart) will only get worse. And so, God appointed His Son as a peace-maker even though He would be hated for it (Luke 20:13-15). In the same way, He appointed His apostles to be peacemakers and predicted that they would be hated too (John 15:18-23): and He was right - John was imprisoned for his faith and all the others came to an early and violent death. They were behaving as children of God and although they died, many were saved through their gospel ministry.

Every child of God should be a peace-maker. Peace-making validates their spiritual roots and expresses their 'spiritual genes'. As they do their God-given work, the Holy Spirit fills them with joy and peace. They are truly happy even though they risk everything for the sake of Christ. They do not bring peace by negotiating compromise but by promoting righteousness in Christ. They are gospel people. Peace with God can only come through believing the gospel; so they share the gospel whatever the risk. They are also concerned to bring peace wherever it is lacking, pouring love onto hatred, like Jesus did. It is always a challenge, but today is a good day for peace-making: ask the Lord to show you how to be a child of God in practice.