The Fruit of the
Spirit Series – Peace
But the fruit of the
Spirit is love, joy, peace,
longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance; against such
there is no law (Galatians 5:22-23).
Shortly before He was to be crucified Jesus told his
disciples, Now is my soul troubled; and
what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour; but for this cause I came
unto this hour (John 12:27). Then only a few days later he told them not to
let their heart be troubled (John 14:1).
How can peace fill our soul when trouble lies ahead?
The Son's soul was troubled at what lay ahead, but He let peace abide and
control Him so He could fulfill the Father’s will. Jesus was telling His disciples
to have the same peace.
Even though they didn’t know what lay ahead, Jesus knew they
would need those words. I’m sure I would have reacted the same way the
disciples did. Their Savior, Teacher, Leader and Friend is arrested because He
was betrayed by one of His own. Can you imagine the shock when they saw Judas
arrive in the Garden with soldiers?
Their pulses must have raced at the thought of being
arrested also. They scattered like a flock of sheep pursued by wolves. Thoughts
of peace were the furthest thing from their minds. Survival was. They fled.
They hid. They denied. Peace was impossible. Or so they thought.
After being filled with the Holy Spirit, the same man who
denied Christ preached to a city filled with people and 3,000 were saved. The
same one who tried to cut off the ear of the high priest’s servant wrote, For he that will love life, and see good
days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no
guile; Let him eschew evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it
(1 Peter 3:10-11). Peter found out the peace Jesus talked about before His
crucifixion was real and was also possible to demonstrate.
Jesus tells us the same thing. When our thoughts are
troubled and we are pursued by disaster and temptation, where does our heart
go? Does fear reign or do the Words of our Lord eliminate the terror?
Because my mind wants to wander away when situations arise
that are troubling, I use my favorite verse to eliminate worry, Be careful for nothing; but in every thing
by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known
unto God. And the peace of God,
which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through
Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7 KJV).
As you think about the Fruit of the Spirit that God has
given us, may you also take this Word with you this week, The Lord will give
strength unto his people; the Lord will bless His people with peace (Psalm
29:11).
What are your favorite verses about peace? Share your thoughts.
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