The fruit of the Spirit is peace: Nine spirit-filled characteristics demonstrated by Jesus
Paul often compared things to one another to show how we should overcome the world, its vices (Galatians 5:19-21), and its broad road that leads to damnation. He encourages us to walk in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16-18) and then proceeds to explain what this involves. This is surely one of the most memorable pieces of Scripture, and it is a practical guideline for us as believers:
22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. – Galatians 5:22-23
Peace
The third fruit in the series Paul mentions is peace. In a time where there is so much unhappiness, violence, and war, what most people on the Earth yearn for is peace. Unfortunately, most find the wrong form of peace, and in the wrong place.
Jesus teaches that the peacemakers will be blessed and will be real children of God:
9Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. – Matthew 5:9
To be a peacemaker, and to be blessed, you first need to have peace in yourself. He told His disciples that He will leave His peace with us, not the peace of the world:
27Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. – John 14:27
Peace that comes from Jesus means we are in step (See our article In Step with the pace of God) with God’s purpose for our lives. What is the peace of the unbelieving world? Paul does not have good news for them:
3For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. – 1 Thessalonians 5:3
The peace of the world (“they”) is manmade, and man centred. Every day we hear world leaders calling for peace, and with this, safety. However, there will be none as this peace is not rooted in the Word of God, but in the futile teachings of men. How can it if the international peace symbol is an upside down cross with the horizontal beam broken? The world will be quick to defend their symbol as being a reaction to nuclear war. It is not. The world’s efforts to bring peace results in destruction. There is peace only in Jesus Christ and when we have peace in Him, safety will come along with it.
The growing tension in the world is inevitable, as it was for the disciples. Jesus though, taught them how to live a Spirit-filled life in three chapters – John 14, 15, and 16. He ends it with this:
33These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. – John 16:33
Note that the peace they (and every other believer after that) will have, is in Him, not in the world. Even if there is tribulation (daily trouble) brought on by the world, we can overcome this with the peace Jesus gives us, but in return, we must be active peacemakers (Matthew 5:9). Do you want to be called a child of God? Then be a peacemaker! Proclaiming peace where there is strife can only come through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and that is why the third fruit Paul mentions is so important. How do we get that peace?
1Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: – Romans 5:1
In our series on The Doctrines of the Bible: Justification, we showed that justification is the process where, based on our new-found faith in Jesus, we are justified – just as we had never sinned. When we are justified, knowing that our sins have been forgiven, then only do we have peace with God, through Jesus, and with the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
The peace we have is a relationship, first with God, that He loves us, then with ourselves, and then with others. The question is this: are we peacemakers or peacebreakers? Jesus called us to be peacemakers and we must ensure that we do whatever we can to promote God’s peace wherever we are and wherever we go. Of course, there will be instances where a relationship has broken down and someone will not want to make peace with you. This is inevitable and it is part of life. If you have tried to make peace and clarify a situation but have been shunned, do some introspection. If you are not in any way to blame, then set that person free. Pray that God will change that person’s heart for the benefit of both of you. However, you cannot dwell on the situation or try to mend something that is clearly not going to work out. Move on, otherwise you are held back by the situation and your own growth is slowed down.
Jesus demonstrated peace wherever He went. Even during a violent storm, he was sleeping when everyone else was in a panic:
36And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships. 37And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. 38And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? 39And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. – Mark 4:36-39
Jesus is peace during a storm, so much so that nature is subject to His command: Peace, be still. If your life is a storm, you can have peace in Him. In the same way, you can spread peace to those around you. If there are things that hinder you and these prevent you from experiencing God’s peace, deal with them first, and put them behind you.
Conclusion
Your challenge for the week is to demonstrate love, joy, and peace to those around you. Live out the fruit of the Spirit and add each fruit as we continue our study of Galatians 5:22-23.