Article

The past few weeks we have been meditating on the fruits of Spirit, Love and Self control. This week’s fruit of the Spirit is about peace. Peace comes from God and is different from the temporary peace the world offers. It is deep, abiding sense of tranquility and confidence that comes from knowing God and trusting in his promises.

Peace - The biblical concept of peace comes from the Hebrew – Shalom which means more than just the absence of conflict. It means wholeness, completeness, well-being, and harmony with God.

What is peace with God? In Romans 5:1 it says “Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.� Because of sin, humanity was in conflict with God. Through Jesus Christ, through the sacrificial death, we have been justified by faith, bringing peace with God. This peace is not based on our circumstances but on our restored relationship with God.

Peace within ourselves - Peace can override us, we may think peace will only come if we are completely okay in life and there is nothing that can come our way – but in all honesty that’s not the case. As humans, we presume that peace should be through our surroundings and the friends we may have but ultimately for us to feel whole within peace, it should be through the work of the Holy Spirit which starts from the heart.

Jesus is our prince of Peace – Jesus is our source of peace. He offers us a peace that is not like the world’s peace which is temporary and will only fill partial of the void. However, Jesus’s peace endures through trials and his peace comes from knowing that he is in control and that we are secure in him. Isaiah 9:6 – ‘For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace.’ Cultivating the Fruit of Peace –

Abide in Christ – Stay connected to Jesus through prayer and the word.

Trust in God’s sovereignty – keep your mind on him, he will keep you in perfect peace.

Let the Holy Spirit lead – A Spirit led life results in peace.

Seek reconciliation – forgive others and strive for unity.

Peace is not the absence of trouble but the presence of God. When we walk in Spirit, peace will be evident in our lives. As we grow in our faith – we can experience and share this peace with others.