World peace is possible in 5 years. Here’s how Christians can make it happen

200 million people have died in wars since 1900. There is a better way, says Alan Storkey. He believes the disarming of the world is possible, and it all starts with Christians grasping the counter-cultural implications of the gospel

Christian peace is part of the Gospel.

Christ gives us peace. We have peace with God. We are to make peace.

Jesus warned that those who take the sword, die by it (Matthew 26:52), and so we aim to, as foretold by the Old Testament prophet, turn weapons into farm equipment (Isaiah 2:4).

We love our enemies (Matthew 5:44), turn the other cheek (Matthew 5:39) and are slow to anger (James 1:19). God brings down the mighty (Luke 1:52), and Christ is the Lamb on the world throne (Revelation 5:13). Christ is to be the gentle world ruler and we look to peace on earth and the healing of the nations (Revelation 22:2). 

Yet, sadly, much of our lives has been ruled by militarism. The first world war, the second world war, the Cold War and many other conflicts dominate the world down to the present.

We have been taught to accept “defence” and armed forces as sacred and unquestionable. For the present it seems Christian Peace has shrunk to Christmas cards and personal feelings, rather than the biblical good news of God for the whole world. 

Meanwhile, militarism has been a…