THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT: PEACE!

THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT: PEACE!

Gal 5:22-23

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Eph 2:12-15

12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:

13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;

15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;

          We must remember that the context of Galatians chapter 5 is a contrast between the counterfeit qualities produced by human effort and the natural fruit that is born by the indwelling Holy Spirit. You can no more stifle spiritual fruit than you can prevent weeds from growing in the cracks of concrete. From deep inside these godly qualities push themselves to the top effortlessly.

          Peace is derived from the Greek word eireenee. Adam Clarke, in his commentary, says: “ ‎Peace is the calm, quiet, and order, which take place in the justified soul, instead of the doubts fears, alarms, and dreadful forebodings that reside in the unbeliever.” Ladies, if your name is Irene, then your name means peace.

          Peace is the first thing that the newly converted heart experiences. Paul said: “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Rom 5:1) I have heard many say as they rise from the altar that they felt a huge load had been lifted from them. That is the feeling of peace. In fact it was not until Pilgrim came to the foot of the cross that his great burden fell from his back. Listen to the quote from John Bunyan’s classic “Pilgrim’s Progress.”

Thus far did I come laden with my sin;

Nor could aught ease the grief that I was in,

Till I came hither; what a place is this!

Must here be the beginning of my bliss?

Must here the burden fall from off my back?

Must here the strings that bound it to me crack?

Blest cross! Blest sepulcher! Blest rather be

The man that was there put to shame for me!

          If you are thinking that this peace is hard to come by then you are right. If you are having a hard time understanding it then you are not alone. But if you think that you could never attain it then you are wrong!

Phil 4:6-7

6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Heb 13:20-21

20 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,

21 Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Dear Lord, let me be a peacemaker today and, in doing so, let me experience your peace which passes understanding. AMEN