Christ’s Peace in a World of Violence

It feels like violence is everywhere.

This month alone, we have seen the shooting of Charlie Kirk, a young Ukrainian immigrant stabbed on a commuter train, more mass shootings across the country, and continued violent crime right here in Memphis that prompted the National Guard to be deployed.

The names change. The places change. But the stories are heartbreakingly familiar.

And if we are honest, it can feel overwhelming. Fear creeps in. Anger rises. Some grow numb. Others despair. And beneath it all, there is a deeper ache: the longing for justice. We want the wrongs to be made right. We want the brokenness to be healed. We want peace.

But into this broken world, Jesus speaks a word we still need today:

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” (John 14:27, ESV)

The Peace Jesus Promised

The peace the world offers is fragile. It lasts until the next headline, the next tragedy, the next act of hate. It depends on control (laws, power, weapons, agreements) and circumstances that can crumble in a moment. The world’s peace depends on politics, policies, and power. But Christ’s peace flows from One who cannot be shaken.

But the peace Jesus offers is unshakable. His peace held steady on the cross. His peace rose from the tomb. His peace remains with us today through His Spirit.

This peace does not mean the absence of trouble. It means the presence of Christ in the trouble. It means an anchor in the storm. It is not found in control, but in surrender. Not in circumstances, but in Christ Himself.

So the question is not whether violence will happen around us. The question is whether we will cling to the world’s flimsy peace or Christ’s lasting one.

Persecution and Violence Are Not New

It may feel like the world is darker than ever, but Scripture reminds us that God’s people have walked this road before.

Jesus told His disciples plainly:

“If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you.” (John 15:20, ESV)

The early church was no stranger to hostility. Christians were mocked, beaten, imprisoned, and even killed. And yet, the gospel spread like wildfire. Why? Because their hope was not in safety but in Christ.

In fact, persecution became a refining fire. It tested whether faith was cultural convenience or genuine conviction. And the same is true today. Across the world, believers face hostility and even violence for naming Christ. Their courage challenges us not to expect comfort, but to prepare for endurance.

We should grieve rising hostility toward people of faith. But we should not be surprised. And we should not be shaken.

Lament, Then Live with Courage

When violence erupts, God does not call us to pretend it does not hurt. He calls us to lament.

“How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever?” (Psalm 13:1, ESV)

The Psalms remind us it is okay to weep, to question, to cry out. But lament should not end in despair. It should drive us to courage.

Courage does not mean recklessness. It means staying faithful when fear says “stay silent.” It means showing compassion when hatred says “pull away.” It means choosing hope when the world offers only cynicism.

Choosing Faith Over Fear

Fear shrinks our world. It makes us hide, withdraw, and distrust. That is exactly what the enemy wants. It's one of Satan's most deadly tactics.

Faith expands our world. It makes us step forward in love, even when it feels risky. It reminds us that nothing, not even violence, can separate us from the love of God in Christ (Romans 8:38–39).

Faith equips us to live as people of peace in a world of chaos.

Living as People of Peace

Christ calls His followers to be more than passive receivers of peace. He calls us to be peacemakers.

“If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” (Romans 12:18, ESV)

That might mean mentoring a young person in a violent neighborhood. It might mean being a calming voice when arguments flare online. It might mean reconciling with a family member you have been avoiding.

Peace is not just a feeling. It is an action. And in a world of hostility, Christ calls us to live as a preview of His eternal peace. Being a peacemaker may not make headlines, but it makes Christ visible to an unpeaceful world.

The Peace to Come

The peace we taste now is only a foretaste of the peace that is coming. One day, Christ will return to set all things right. Violence will end. Justice will be complete. The longing in our hearts will finally be satisfied.

Revelation 21:4 (ESV) promises:

“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

Each act of violence reminds us of the brokenness of now. But one day, conflict will cease, tears will be wiped away, and Christ’s perfect peace will fill the earth.

So Let Me Ask You (as I ask myself):

• Where is your peace rooted? In the world’s security or in Christ’s promise?

• When you see violence in the news, does it drive you to fear or to prayer?

• Have you allowed fear to silence your faith?

• Are you living in such a way that your presence brings peace into your family, church, or community?

• Who around you needs you to be a calm and Christlike presence right now?

A Closing Encouragement

The violence we see is real. The fear it brings is real. The grief it causes is real. But so is the peace of Christ.

We lament the brokenness. We grieve the loss. But we also stand firm in hope. Because the Prince of Peace has already won the ultimate victory. And one day, He will return to make that peace complete.

Until then, we do not withdraw. We do not despair. We do not give in to fear.

We live as people of peace in a world that desperately needs it. When shootings shake our cities, when stabbings scar our trains, when crime surges in our neighborhoods, we hold onto this truth: Christ’s peace is stronger than any act of violence.

That is the hope we carry into a violent world: Christ’s peace is here now, and His perfect peace is coming.

Until the journey is complete,

Jonathan Pilgrim

P.S. This week, take one step toward peace. Pray for your city. Encourage someone burdened by fear. Choose hope over despair. And remember: Christ’s peace is yours to hold and to share.