Roots + Fruits - PART THREE

P E A C E

Galatians 5:22–23 (ESV)

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.

Peace is a fruit of the Spirit, which means that it’s a result of the Holy Spirit working in your life with your cooperation. It’s the result of you choosing the truth of the Spirit on the inside of you over the facts you might see around you.

Lexham Theological Wordbook (εἰρήνη)

εἰρήνη (eirēnē) n. fem. peace. The state of well-being and concord.In the Septuagint, eirēnē is the usual translation of שָׁלוֺם (šālôm, “soundness, peace”). In the NT, eirēnē also carries some of the meaning of well-being expressed by šālôm. Thus, the phrase “go in peace” can function as a farewell phrase that simply means “be well.” It can also be used of harmonious relationships between governments (Luke 14:32) or between individuals (Heb 12:14). Paul regularly opens his letters with a formula offering grace and peace (eirēnē) to the recipients (e.g., 1 Cor 1:2). Christ brought peace between humans and God, and between Jews and Gentiles, uniting them in his Church (Eph 2:14–17); thus, the Christian message is the gospel of peace (Eph 6:15).

Lexham Theological Wordbook (שָׁלוֺם)

שָׁלוֺם (šālôm). n. masc. soundness, peace. The state of being whole.This word basically describes sound circumstances. Bodily soundness (šālôm) is equivalent to physical health (e.g., Psa 38:3), so people can inquire about the well-being (šālôm) of another (Gen 29:6). The word can also denote the wellness and tranquility that characterizes the life of the righteous before death (e.g., Gen 15:15). It can refer to political peace—the absence of war (e.g., Josh 9:15)—but more often describes sound relationships between human beings and God (Isa 54:10) or between humans and others (Isa 59:8).

It’s important to know that every verse I share with you today uses the same word. In the Old Testament, it’s “shalom,” but that’s translated as “eirene” in the New Testament and Septuagint. The meaning is the same.

Nothing missing. Nothing broken. Soundness. The state of being whole.

Jesus promised that we could not only have access to A peace, but HIS peace.

John 14:27 (ESV)

27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

It’s important that we consider the source and the context, because Jesus is speaking here toward the end of the His time on earth and He’s setting up His disciples for life without His physical presence. Jesus is speaking about peace with a considerable amount of authority. Why else would He make the distinction that He was leaving HIS peace and not the world’s?

Isaiah 9:6 (ESV)

6 For to us a child is born,

to us a son is given;

and the government shall be upon his shoulder,

and his name shall be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

This is a prophecy from Isaiah about the Messiah. He tells us that the coming Savior will be the RULER, THE CHIEF, THE LEADER, THE AUTHORITY of peace.

Jesus is speaking about His peace because His peace is the peace that we should desire and He, the PRINCE of that peace, has the authority to give it to us.

Paul makes it even more clear in Ephesians 2.

Ephesians 2:14 (ESV)

14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility...

He HIMSELF is our peace. True peace only exists when it originates from the Prince of Peace.

Jesus, in His wisdom, left us with access to that peace even after He had physically left the earth.

He goes on in the gospel of John to tell us specifically what that peace is…rather, He tells us WHO that peace is.

John 15:26 (ESV)

26 “But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me.

Follow this thought process here.

The Prince of Peace has come and fulfilled the words of the prophet and is now giving His people the supernatural peace that is only attainable from Him. He leaves us the Holy Spirit to help us. That Spirit bears witness of Jesus, the Prince of Peace. That means that the the Holy Spirit will bear witness about peace. The Holy Spirit will lead you in peace. The Holy Spirit will guide you in peace. He will keep you in peace. He will comfort you in peace.

Isaiah 55:12 (ESV)

12 “For you shall go out in joy

and be led forth in peace;

the mountains and the hills before you

shall break forth into singing,

and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.

Joy and peace go together.

They’re both fruit that we have to grow. We have to become excellent gardeners of this fruit. It has to be cultivated. It has to be grown. Joy will make room for peace. Not in a feeling, but in the inner witness of the Holy Spirit on the inside of you.

Have you ever heard someone say that they “didn’t have peace” about something?

Let’s make sure we keep the importance of peace in its proper context here. What is often blamed on a lack of peace may actually be a lack of faith.

Peace is not the feeling of knowing

Do you lack peace because you haven’t involved in the Holy Spirit? Do you lack peace because you haven’t cultivated it as a fruit of the Spirit? Do you lack peace because you’re considering peace to be everything worked out and wrapped up with bows on it?

Don’t misunderstand peace as understanding. In fact, the peace that will be our calling card actually defies understanding.

Philippians 4:6–9 (ESV)

6 do not be anxious about anything, 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 understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

Having the peace of God isn’t about what makes sense. It’s about resolve and faith in the midst of chaos. When nothing seems to be going right, our peace is secure. We aren’t moved by thoughts of anxiety or fear. What if? Follow that thought. What’s the absolute worst that can happen to you? If Jesus is your Lord and Savior, death shouldn’t even phase you.

Peace isn’t financial security. It isn’t material wealth. It isn’t a ton of friends or a great job or the hottest girlfriend or the best crew. It’s the filling of the Spirit that changes your outlook on everything. Peace then becomes the lens through which you see everything. It becomes the truth that brings the circumstances into perspective.

Just like with every fruit of the Spirit, we have choices to make with the implementation of peace in our lives.

How do we choose peace?

Isaiah 26:3 (ESV)

3 You keep him in perfect peace

whose mind is stayed on you,

because he trusts in you.

The secret to choosing peace lies between your ears. The thoughts you think can make or break your peace.

What actually disturbs your peace? It’s your own thoughts. The key to staying in peace is keeping your mind on the right things. Isaiah and Paul both discuss the correlation between peace and your thoughts.

2 Corinthians 10:5–6 (ESV)

5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, 6 being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.

Stay in peace by fixing your thoughts on Him and take the authority of the Prince of Peace over the ones that don’t belong.

Peace is available for your mind. For your heart. If your soul feels like it’s in chaos, the Holy Spirit is here to bring you peace. Not a temporary peace. Not a worldly peace. Not a circumstantial peace. Peace from the Prince of Peace. Peace that passes understanding and then guards your heart and your mind in Christ Jesus. In Him, your heart is protected by peace. Peace isn’t passive. It’s aggressive. It’s the bodyguard of your heart and mind. That requires force. Let peace kick fear to the curb tonight by fixing your mind and your attention on the Prince of Peace.