Fruits of the Spirit: Peace
But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23
Peace.
It’s a word we hear every day. We all want peace, in our world and in our hearts. But how do we achieve it? What are the by-products when the Holy Spirit endows us with peace?
Peace is a feeling of wholeness, a calming of conflict within us. Have you ever been torn up about something for so long it becomes a part of your day-to-day life? But you know you are doing right, that you have not sinned. A sense of peace settles in your heart. You may still have the struggle, but there is a sense of calm in knowing that you are following God’s will.
We also achieve peace when we have reconciliation with God. When we are at peace with God and his desires for us, we feel a sense of tranquility, sin no longer blocks our path toward God. Paul spoke of this in Romans.
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.
Romans 5:1
Peace with God is possible because of Christ’s death on the cross, His intercession for us in death and resurrection.
Finally, peace is a by-product of trust… trust in God, faith in His word. One of my favorite scriptures is found in Genesis. Sarah, Abraham’s wife, has given birth at a ripe old age (not many of us expect to give birth at 90 years old!). And when she was actually blessed with a son (Isaac), she was amazed and full of joy at his birth.
Who would have dreamed that I would ever have a baby? Yet I have given
Abraham a son in his old age!
Genesis 21:7
She had given up and no peace when she was filled with doubt and worry. But when faced with the reality of God’s promise, doubt and worry were replaced with peace of heart (a peace she could have relished had she only had the faith in God’s promise!).
So seek out peace within yourself. Seek out God, seek His Spirit.
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