Current affairs naturally have many of us longing for peace.  Indeed, in the pronouncement of war against Saddam Hussein and Iraq there was a protest against such action in favor of "peaceful" resolution.  As the conflict in that region continues, there is still a crying out for peace.  Let us be aware, however, that this is nothing new.  Throughout the history of man from his fall in Adam, there has been conflict that arises out of the sinful nature inherited from our oldest common ancestor.  In result of Adam's transgression, we all are in conflict with God our Creator and with our fellow man.  The self-centered drive of the sinful nature causes disharmony between kin and stranger alike.  The sinful nature causes disharmony between everyone as everyone seeks his own good and goes his own way. 

The coming (Advent) of the Lord Jesus Christ and His work of righteousness (His obedience to the Father in going to the cross as a sacrifice for our sin) is the antithesis of Adam's work of unrighteousness (his disobedience to the Father in breaking the one commandment given) that has made all of us sinners and therefore at conflict (war, if you like) with God.  Because of the Lord's obedience and the death He died in obedience, we can now be at peace (or harmony) with God.  If we have peace with God through Jesus Christ, then we have a "peace the surpasses all understanding" (Philippians 4:6-7).  That is, we have a peace in spite of the conflicts around us because of what we know.  What we come to know is the "all things work together for the good of those that love God and are called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28).  The truth is that Christian peace is not merely the absence of war or conflict, but it is for the time being in spite of the presence of war or conflict.  And as followers of Jesus, Christians are to live in peace with others and in submission to "governing authorities" (cf. Romans 12-14).

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.  Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.  And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us

Romans 5:1-5