Can I Please Have Some Peace

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Galatians 5:22–23 NASB95

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Introduction

One of aspect of the fruit of the Spirit is PEACE.

Originally thought only to be the absence of war or the intermission between war, it is understood to be a state of existence between two parties or within oneself.

This is a peace that is cultivate by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. This is a good time to be reminded of what Paul said in vs. 16, “But I say, by the Spirit walk and you will not fulfill the desires of the flesh.”

Be fashioned, be shaped, be moulded, be led, be instructed, be constrained, be open to THE SPIRIT - and allow the fruit to be cultivated in your spirit and manifested in your walk.

What Paul is calling to the attention of the Galatians is the peace with God must be seen in their life as members of the kingdom. For Him it is more than an inner disposition in the face of anxiety but with each other (especially considering the what was happening with them).

PEACE really takes on meaning depending where and how it is used. It can mean harmony, security, well being, tranquility.

Romans 8:6 “6 For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace,”

In the same way it is impossible to consider the greatness of salvation without conversing of joy, it is equally difficult to not talk about PEACE!

In fact, God saving us meant that God made peace between us and Himself. Let it be clearly stated that as long as a man remains outside of Jesus Christ, he remains in hostility and enmity toward God.

Sin, unrighteousness, and rebellion creates a that hostility that then necessitates a peaceful resolution.

#1 Peace In God

This can also be stated as “peace with God”

Never ever forget or downplay the blessing of peace between us and God

Ephesians 2:13–14 “13 But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall,”

Jesus is not only gifting us peace, He himself is the gift of peace. - To have Jesus is to have peace. This is magnificently displayed in bringing oneness to two groups that were so sharply separated.

You can only fully appreciate this if you understand your condition before

Ephesians 2:1–3 “1 And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, 2 in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. 3 Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.”

“Our very nature invited the wrath of God”

Outside of Jesus, there was rebellion and histility

Consider also,

Romans 5:1 “1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,”

Justification by faith, granted us peace with God - When God declared you righteous by the saving work of Jesus, He was also declaring that He’s no longer has wrath toward us.

The severity of the hostility magnifies the significance of the peace

Outside of Christ there was rebellion, hostility, enmity, wrath, judgement - BUT Jesus was your peace

Now. . .you’re son, now He’s not ashamed to call them brethren, now I’m a joint heir in Christ, now the Spirit dwells in me, now I’m seated in heavenly places in Christ - This is the extent of the peace!

The reason understanding this important, is that I cannot successfully have lasting peace within myself or with people if I don’t have peace with God.

Lasting peace in turmoil, peace in myself, peace with others are only possible through a state of peace with God which further involves the Spirit bearing the fruit of peace in me. This is what helps me to have peace in these other areas of life.

Do you have peace with God?

#2 Peace in Circumstances

Peace is not just a divine gift, only to received upon faith in God and obedience to God; a blessing of Salvation,

It is something that is given to us during various times in life when trouble hits.

Consider the words of Jesus as He speaks to His disciples

John 14:27 “27 “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.”

Jesus tells them I “give you” a peace that is different to what the world gives - How different Jesus’ peace is from the world which is fickle.

The world gives peace through things; governments (politics), police officers/armies, Money, Investments, Education, Insurance, Gated Communities, Neighbourhood watches and security cameras, Fully comprehensive - we say these give us a “peace of mind” - are they abiding?

This is a manufactured peace based on human thinking. This is NOT lasting!

There is the reality and existence of trouble and fear but Jesus says I will give you peace - How can Jesus say that?

John 16:32–33 “32 “Behold, an hour is coming, and has already come, for you to be scattered, each to his own home, and to leave Me alone; and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. 33 “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.””

The world has tribulation (this is the potential for distress and fear).

This “have” is present tense, meaning it will continue to have tribulation.

But “I have overcome”. This “have” is in the perfect tense, meaning Jesus already provided the peace, before the tribulation comes up.

You always have the peace available in Jesus Christ, no matter what the distress, no matter when the distress is.

One more thing

Philippians 4:6–7 “6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Jesus does not want you worried - this is not you turning a blind eye, acting like the source of the worry is not staring you in the face. But because I have Jesus. . . I will choose not to worry

Jesus wants you praying - “O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear, all because we do not carry, everything to God in prayer”

Your prayers must be laced with thanksgiving - a heart preoccupied by “in everything give thanks” has no time to be worried

God then gives you peace that surpasses ALL comprehension - this is not a peace you manufacture it is one you recieve. APPL. Be careful trying to make a peace and then trying to protect that peace you made.

This peace is one that guards your heart - pay attention to what it guards, the place where worry can take over.

If you join this to Philippians 4:8 “8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.”

The word “dwell/think” means to bear in the mind (meditate) on - it’s hard to dwell on these things Paul mentions while simultaneously dwelling on anxieties

#3 Peace with Others

God gifts peace in salvation - yes

God gives peace in anxieties - yes

Now God is issuing a command regarding extending peace in my relationship and interaction with others

This is the challenge and the charge

Mark 9:50 “50 “Salt is good; but if the salt becomes unsalty, with what will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.”” - This is in the imp. meaning Jesus is not giving a suggestion, but a command or a strong exhortation.

James 3:17–18 (NLT)

17 But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere.

18 And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.

James is letting us know that there is evidence in being a peacemaker - your harvest is one of righteousness. - The same way earthly, natural, demonic wisdom has fruits (evidence) so does “wisdom from above”

Romans 12:17–18 “17 Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.” - A retaliatory disposition will never bring peace!

Hebrews 12:14 “14 Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord.” Pursue lit. to chase after it.

Think about this in the context of the Galatians