15 and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace. 16 In every situation take up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.  

Ephesians 6:15-16 (CSB) 

 12 At that time you were without Christ, excluded from the citizenship of Israel, and foreigners to the covenants of promise, without hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus, you who were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For he is our peace, who made both groups one and tore down the dividing wall of hostility. In his flesh, 15 he made of no effect the law consisting of commands and expressed in regulations, so that he might create in himself one new man from the two, resulting in peace. 16 He did this so that he might reconcile both to God in one body through the cross by which he put the hostility to death.[c] 17 He came and proclaimed the good news of peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.  

Ephesians 2:12-18 (CSB)

 12 For our struggle is not against [a]flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 

Ephesians 6: 12 (NASB) 

 14 Justice is turned back, and righteousness stands afar off; for truth has fallen in the public squares, and uprightness cannot enter. 15 Truth is lacking, and he who departs from evil makes himself a prey. The Lord saw it, and it displeased him that there was no justice. 16  He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no one to intervene; then his own arm brought him victory, and his righteousness upheld him. 17 He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation upon his head; he put on garments of vengeance for clothing, and wrapped himself in fury as a mantle. 

Isaiah 59: 14-17 (RSV) 

 

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November 13, 2025 

An enormous amount of human effort, energy, and resources have gone into the pursuit of peace in the world. And despite the fact that war and peace continue side by side, like two children holding hands and skipping along the sidewalk together, people still believe that peace in the world can be achieved through human effort. If people are just kind, then peace will be achieved. If enough “good people” do the “right thing”, then peace can be achieved. If we find the right strategy that works, or find the right person with the right skills, sufficient power, influence, and money, then world peace can be achieved. Right? 

In the 44 years I have been alive, wars have been a constant presence. There has been oppression, political corruption, torture, poverty, slander, lies, and deceit. I have yet to see world peace, despite all our best human efforts.  

As Christians, we have a shocking new reality to absorb. It’s the reality that the supernatural world peace that we have all longed for and foolishly tried to achieve through human effort alone is actually here, and while it is not yet in its most complete form, it is on the move in might and power. It is the peace of Jesus Christ. Only the peace of Christ is powerful enough to achieve world peace. And it is only when believers throw our their self-made crowns and take up their rugged crosses that we can participate in the transformative work of peace that Jesus Christ is doing in the world.  

Questions for reflection and discussion:  

  • Where in our world today do you see a lack of peace? 
  • Where in our world do you see the peace of Jesus Christ on the move? 
  • Do you lean towards relying on human effort to achieve peace? Why or why not? 

 Church Reading Plan: 1 Chronicles 1-2; Hebrews 8