The peace of Christ

 

Jesus Christ said, Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. – John 14:27 (NIV)

Do you know what is this “peace” to which Jesus refers? This “peace” that’s not as the world gives, so it’s nothing like worldly peace. According to the world, peace is freedom from disturbance; tranquillity; a state or period in which there is no war or a war has ended, but that’s not the peace of Christ.

Sunday morning at church when you say to your fellow congregants, “the peace of Christ”, do you even understand what you are bestowing upon them? It’s much more than just quiet time.

Many Christians have no idea what Jesus actually means by peace. He said, my peace, so that ought to give us pause; it could not be ordinary, but we are programmed to say liturgical phrases by rote, so we do not think beyond the words, instead we simply believe that the peace of Christ carries the same meaning as the dictionary’s definition of peace, namely the absence of conflict or violence or war or that it’s silence, keeping still, calm or having no drama.

But the peace that Jesus speaks of is not simply the absence of something but rather the presence of Someone, God. Notice that before Jesus spoke of giving His peace, He said,

“All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. – John 14:25-26 (NIV)

Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God, the presence of God – that is the peace that Jesus gives.

The Greek word translated “peace” that Jesus would have used is salom (shalom) which speaks of wholeness, completeness, restoration, true justice, soundness, healing, provision, belonging; it can denote neighbourliness, well-being and security. Shalom is a reward of a mind that’s stayed on God; it’s when lives flourish.

You will keep the man in perfect peace whose mind is kept on You, because he trusts in You. – Isaiah 26:3 (NLV)

According to Philippians 4:7, the peace of Christ results from God’s forgiveness.

And because you belong to Christ Jesus, God’s peace will stand guard over all your thoughts and feelings. His peace can do this far better than our human minds. (ERV)

Beloved, the peace of Christ is an element of the fruit that the Spirit produces in your life (see Galatians 5:22-25). A godly trait you must determine to cultivate through the work of God’s Spirit within you.

Amen †

Shelley Johnson “The peace of Christ” © 2026 August 3, 2026