Galatians 5:22-24 – But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
A qualitative Christian living is achieved by allowing the Holy Spirit to have freedom of expression to bear His fruit in our lives. Being gifted or called of God is by divine election but bearing the fruit of the Spirit is by personal choice. It requires a conscious and deliberate effort to be a fruitful Christian. Today I will examine one the fruit of the Holy Spirit.
Peace
Philippians 4:6 – Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
The word peace comes from the Greek word EIRENE, the Greek equivalent for the Hebrew word shalom, which expresses the idea of wholeness, completeness, or tranquility in the soul that is unaffected by outward circumstances and pressures. The word Eirene strongly suggests the rule of order in place of chaos. When a person is dominated by this peace, the person has a calm, inner stability that results in the ability to conduct himself peacefully, even the in the midst of turbulent circumstances that would normally be very nerve-racking, traumatic or confusing.
The Hebrew word for peace, shalom, indicates that this dominating peace ultimately gives rise to prosperity in one’s soul. Instead of allowing the challenge of and pressures of life to break him/her, such person is whole, complete, orderly, stable and ready for blessing. Such person is possessed by divine peace.
In Mark 4:35-41, we have a classic example of peace on the inside resulting in dominion over a turbulent circumstance. When the wind became stormy and the waves of the sea became turbulent, Jesus by the operation of the fruit of peace brought great calm to the situation. The Greek rendering of the statement in Peace be still in the above scripture actually indicates that Jesus only made a hush sound to subdue the storm and waves.
Friends, the same fruit of the Spirit is available to us as Children of God. This peace is not man made it emanates from God. Jesus said “my peace I leave with you and my peace I give to you not as the world give I onto you”. This connotes that there are two types of peace. The one that the world gives and the one that is available through the Spirit of Christ. Natural peace and the supernatural peace. Supernatural peace has been given to us, all we need to do is take it up and rule and reign within and without by it.
For further Study
John 14:27, Mark 4:35-41
Personal declaration for the day
I receive and possess the peace of God
Questions for you to reflect on
What gives you peace?
What is peace to you?
Comments & Testimonials