As author Bert Ruiz says, "April 9, 1948, was the darkest day in the history of Colombia" (The Colombian Civil War, p. 55). On that day, Jorge Eliécer Gaitán, was assassinated. The streets of Bogotá erupted. "Mataron a Gaitán" (They killed Gaitán) the people cried. Most scholars believe that Gaitán would have surely been the next Colombian president. The common people were looking to him to give them a voice in Colombia. He was often referred to as "the man who was a people." His assassination led to complete mayhem in the streets of Bogotá, which quickly spilled into others parts of the country. People were massacred, property destroyed, and longstanding political hatred vented. As a result of Gaitán's assassination, over 200,000 people lost their lives in Colombia over the following years. Since Gaitán's death, many other Colombians have been killed. The violence rages on. What can be done for this war-torn country? We are not politicians, so we don't have the answers in politics. But we can pray that God would bring peace to Colombia, just as we are to "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem" (Psalm 122:6, NKJV). Although violence is still common in Colombia, many Colombians have come to find peace with God through Jesus Christ. Indeed, as Jesus said, "My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!" (Luke 12:4-5, NKJV). How have many Colombians found peace with God? They have admitted that they are sinners. The Scriptures say, "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23, NKJV). Over the years, many Colombian politicians have tried to govern the land without regard for the violence in the countryside. "Out of sight, out of mind," they think. So too, many people deny that they have a problem with sin. But God clearly tells us that every one of us is condemned before His perfect standard of justice. They have recognized that Jesus Christ provided a perfect payment for our sins on the cross, and on the third day He rose again. As the Scriptures say, Jesus "bore our sins in His own body on the tree" (1 Peter 2:24, NKJV). He was the Righteous One, who died in the place of us sinners. "For He [God] made Him [Jesus] who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him" (2 Corinthians 5:21, NKJV). "For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve" (1 Corinthians 15:3-5, NKJV). They have trusted in Jesus Christ alone for eternal life. Jesus has done everything to provide us eternal life and peace with God. The following passage explains how many Colombians have received eternal life, and how you can too! "Salvation that comes from trusting Christ -- which is the message we preach -- is already within easy reach. In fact, the Scriptures say, 'The message is close at hand; it is on your lips and in your heart.' For if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved" (Romans 10:8-10, NLT). If you have any questions about how you can find peace with God, let us know! We would love to share more with you. Return to Homepage