But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. - Galatians 5:22-23
When a person accepts Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, they are born-again. At the moment of their salvation, they are filled with the Holy Spirit who comes and takes up residence in their lives. The presence of the Holy Spirit within the life of a redeemed Christian is the assurance of their eternal security. In addition, the Holy Spirit will supernaturally begin to cultivate fruit within the life of the believer so as to conform them to the image and character of Christ. This fruit is referred to in scripture as “The Fruit of the Spirit”.
The fruit of the Spirit contains 9 essential nutrients or attributes. Thus far, we have discussed the first 2 of these. Love “seeks the highest good of others”. It is given unconditionally and sacrificially. Love is not based on emotions, but rather a conscious commitment to put others' interests before your own. Joy is “gladness not based on circumstances”. It is more than mere and temporary happiness. True joy comes from knowing God and walking in His grace. We must choose to be joyful.
This morning we will consider peace, the 3rd nutrient found within the fruit of the Spirit. Following the same outline as in the previous messages, we will begin by defining what peace is. Then we will see how it is demonstrated in the life of Jesus Christ. Lastly, we will examine the Christian’s call to peace.
I. PEACE DEFINED
For the purposes of this series, we will define peace as “contentment, and/or unity between people”. As you can see by this definition, peace has 2 distinct meanings. There is both inner peace, or personal peace, and outer peace, or relational peace. The Greek word for peace used in the Bible is eirene. It carries the idea of tranquility, harmony, and security.
Inner or personal peace is the steady contentment that we as Christians should feel within our lives. It involves a state of assurance and a lack of fear. Such peace includes freedom from worry, disturbance, and oppressive thoughts. Those who experience Biblical peace are not anxious, stressed, or overly concerned by the burdens of this world, but rather abide in the calm serenity of knowing Christ.
Outer or relational peace refers to the fellowship, harmony, and unity between individuals. It may be thought of as a lack of conflict, or a state in which people live in agreement or accord with one another. Such peace can be applied on a small scale, such as a single person living at peace with their neighbors, or on a large scale, such as entire nations of the world being at peace with one another. Those who have inner peace are more likely to exhibit outer peace.
II. PEACE EXEMPLIFIED IN CHRIST
Jesus did not worry or fret over earthly things. Perhaps the greatest example of this is the manner by which He faced the cross. Though He knew the sufferings that awaited Him there, Jesus fearlessly “set His face” toward Jerusalem and determined to go there (Luke 9:51, KJV). In the Garden of Gethsemane just hours before His crucifixion, Jesus’ faith remained strong as He prayed “not my will but Yours be done” (Mark 14:36). Because of His unwavering confidence in God, Jesus modeled inner peace that was free of doubt and anxiety.
Jesus also lived at peace with others. Though the religious elites of His day conspired violence against Him (Mark 3:6), Jesus did not retaliate. On the contrary, He endured the slander and persecution, even the horrors of the cross, without reprisal. Scripture describes Jesus as a “lamb led to the slaughter” (Isaiah 53:7). Even during His outburst at the temple, Jesus did not physically attack or assault the merchants but rather drove them out and turned over their money tables (Matthew 21:12, John 2:15). Jesus fought against sin and heresy, but not against people.
Jesus is called “the Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6-7). He is the Mediator through which we as sinful people can have peace with God right now (Romans 5:1). Furthermore, when He sets up His eternal kingdom there will be unending peace. All will live harmoniously with both God and one another. Ironically, although He exemplified peace and stressed it in His teachings, Jesus has been the cause of great division and strife among men for centuries (Matthew 10:34).
III. PEACE COMMANDED
Jesus often told His disciples to “Fear not.” In fact, this is His most frequently issued command. There are over 300 instances in the Bible in which believers are told not to worry. One of the most well-known passages about this is found in Philippians 4:6-7. Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Paul urges his readers not to be anxious about anything, but rather to present all of their worries and concerns to the Lord in prayer. By doing so, the peace of Christ Jesus (which is beyond understanding) will guard their hearts and minds. In short, peace is found through prayer.
Jesus also directed His followers to live at peace with one another. He taught that Christians should not fight with one another, but rather turn the other cheek (Matthew 5:38-40). Furthermore, the Bible tells believers to live in peace with everyone to the extent that it depends on them (Romans 12:18). Like any relationship, there are 2 parties involved. So, if there is strife or dissension there, it shouldn’t be coming from us.
CONCLUSION
On the night before His crucifixion, while gathered in the upper room, Jesus comforted His disciples. He told them that He was leaving, but that He’d give them His peace (John 14:27). This peace would be greater than what the world could give, and would calm their fears and troubles. This is the type of peace that we as Christians should have today - the peace of God. It is the unflappable confidence that God is in control, there is nothing to fear, and everything will work together for good (Romans 8:28).
My prayer for us this week is that we walk in peace - within our own hearts, between us and God, and with one another. In this world of uncertainty and unrest, where disagreements and hostilities abound, we desperately need His peace…
When a person accepts Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, they are born-again. At the moment of their salvation, they are filled with the Holy Spirit who comes and takes up residence in their lives. The presence of the Holy Spirit within the life of a redeemed Christian is the assurance of their eternal security. In addition, the Holy Spirit will supernaturally begin to cultivate fruit within the life of the believer so as to conform them to the image and character of Christ. This fruit is referred to in scripture as “The Fruit of the Spirit”.
The fruit of the Spirit contains 9 essential nutrients or attributes. Thus far, we have discussed the first 2 of these. Love “seeks the highest good of others”. It is given unconditionally and sacrificially. Love is not based on emotions, but rather a conscious commitment to put others' interests before your own. Joy is “gladness not based on circumstances”. It is more than mere and temporary happiness. True joy comes from knowing God and walking in His grace. We must choose to be joyful.
This morning we will consider peace, the 3rd nutrient found within the fruit of the Spirit. Following the same outline as in the previous messages, we will begin by defining what peace is. Then we will see how it is demonstrated in the life of Jesus Christ. Lastly, we will examine the Christian’s call to peace.
I. PEACE DEFINED
For the purposes of this series, we will define peace as “contentment, and/or unity between people”. As you can see by this definition, peace has 2 distinct meanings. There is both inner peace, or personal peace, and outer peace, or relational peace. The Greek word for peace used in the Bible is eirene. It carries the idea of tranquility, harmony, and security.
Inner or personal peace is the steady contentment that we as Christians should feel within our lives. It involves a state of assurance and a lack of fear. Such peace includes freedom from worry, disturbance, and oppressive thoughts. Those who experience Biblical peace are not anxious, stressed, or overly concerned by the burdens of this world, but rather abide in the calm serenity of knowing Christ.
Outer or relational peace refers to the fellowship, harmony, and unity between individuals. It may be thought of as a lack of conflict, or a state in which people live in agreement or accord with one another. Such peace can be applied on a small scale, such as a single person living at peace with their neighbors, or on a large scale, such as entire nations of the world being at peace with one another. Those who have inner peace are more likely to exhibit outer peace.
II. PEACE EXEMPLIFIED IN CHRIST
Jesus did not worry or fret over earthly things. Perhaps the greatest example of this is the manner by which He faced the cross. Though He knew the sufferings that awaited Him there, Jesus fearlessly “set His face” toward Jerusalem and determined to go there (Luke 9:51, KJV). In the Garden of Gethsemane just hours before His crucifixion, Jesus’ faith remained strong as He prayed “not my will but Yours be done” (Mark 14:36). Because of His unwavering confidence in God, Jesus modeled inner peace that was free of doubt and anxiety.
Jesus also lived at peace with others. Though the religious elites of His day conspired violence against Him (Mark 3:6), Jesus did not retaliate. On the contrary, He endured the slander and persecution, even the horrors of the cross, without reprisal. Scripture describes Jesus as a “lamb led to the slaughter” (Isaiah 53:7). Even during His outburst at the temple, Jesus did not physically attack or assault the merchants but rather drove them out and turned over their money tables (Matthew 21:12, John 2:15). Jesus fought against sin and heresy, but not against people.
Jesus is called “the Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6-7). He is the Mediator through which we as sinful people can have peace with God right now (Romans 5:1). Furthermore, when He sets up His eternal kingdom there will be unending peace. All will live harmoniously with both God and one another. Ironically, although He exemplified peace and stressed it in His teachings, Jesus has been the cause of great division and strife among men for centuries (Matthew 10:34).
III. PEACE COMMANDED
Jesus often told His disciples to “Fear not.” In fact, this is His most frequently issued command. There are over 300 instances in the Bible in which believers are told not to worry. One of the most well-known passages about this is found in Philippians 4:6-7. Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Paul urges his readers not to be anxious about anything, but rather to present all of their worries and concerns to the Lord in prayer. By doing so, the peace of Christ Jesus (which is beyond understanding) will guard their hearts and minds. In short, peace is found through prayer.
Jesus also directed His followers to live at peace with one another. He taught that Christians should not fight with one another, but rather turn the other cheek (Matthew 5:38-40). Furthermore, the Bible tells believers to live in peace with everyone to the extent that it depends on them (Romans 12:18). Like any relationship, there are 2 parties involved. So, if there is strife or dissension there, it shouldn’t be coming from us.
CONCLUSION
On the night before His crucifixion, while gathered in the upper room, Jesus comforted His disciples. He told them that He was leaving, but that He’d give them His peace (John 14:27). This peace would be greater than what the world could give, and would calm their fears and troubles. This is the type of peace that we as Christians should have today - the peace of God. It is the unflappable confidence that God is in control, there is nothing to fear, and everything will work together for good (Romans 8:28).
My prayer for us this week is that we walk in peace - within our own hearts, between us and God, and with one another. In this world of uncertainty and unrest, where disagreements and hostilities abound, we desperately need His peace…