Christians were hunted, persecuted, lost their jobs, and often placed in prison. So, why did these believers greet each other with the word "peace"? The non Christian community certainly didn't greet each other in that way. What was it that caused these outcasts of society to say "peace" when they saw one another? It didn't make sense.

However, after I came to know many of these dear brothers and sisters, I began to understand. They were enemies of the communist regime but friends with God. They had an intimate walk with the Lord that produced what the Apostle Paul said was a peace that passed all understanding. It doesn't make sense to have peace in the middle of extreme trials and difficulties. But that's what God specializes in. He has a way of making sense out of non sense.

Peace is a by-product of the victorious Christian life. It's a fruit of the Holy Spirit that's produced in the believer who is fully yielded to Christ and trusting in Him. The Old Testament speaks of peace in a much overall outward sense than the New Testament. It often had physical meaning. However, the emphasis of peace in the New Testament was directly related to the innermost part of our lives and our relationship with God.

We have peace with God because of what Jesus did on the cross. Paul wrote, "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Rom. 5:1 NIV). I ceased the war with God when I placed my faith in Christ. I'll never forget that night. I walked out of the church where I prayed to receive Christ with peace flowing in my heart. It was like a thousand pounds were lifted from my shoulders. I was at peace with the God who created me.

The wonderful thing about the Christian life is that we can also know the peace of God. We can be at peace with God, but also experience the peace of God. The Christian is not exempt from trials and difficulties in his life. But he can be exempt from the turmoil of the heart that often accompanies those tribulations. That's why Paul also wrote, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God, and the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 4:6, 7 NIV).

No, it doesn't make sense to have peace in the midst of tragedy and pain. It's impossible to understand why we experience all of the problems that we face. But the victorious Christian life is one that produces peace in the midst of pain; joy in times of suffering; and love when we're hated. Only the indwelling Christ can produce such a life. He is able because He is the Prince of Peace.