Fruit of the Spirit Series - part 3
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace..." Galatians 5:22
Jesus said He would give us peace. He also spoke peace to a raging storm. Then Romans tells us that we are to live peaceably
with all men. And we cannot ignore the
admonitions to “hold your peace” mentioned throughout Scripture. Oh, and then there is the verse I’ll bet you
didn’t know was in there. It’s in Joshua
10:21 and it says this… “And all the people returned to the
camp to Joshua at Makkedah in peace: none moved his tongue against any of the
children of Israel.” It seems to me that
in this situation, part of keeping the peace meant keeping one’s mouth
shut!
So with all of these references to peace in
mind, just what exactly is
peace?? And how do we incorporate it and
its benefits into our own lives?
Peace. It’s a deep-seated, calm assurance of soul
that only God can give…that is the result of trust in Him and a firm belief
that He IS IN CONTROL…that can say, “whate’er befall me, Jesus doeth all things
well.”
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.
“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not
as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither
let it be afraid” (John 14:27).
Peace. It’s a personal knowledge of Jesus’s saving and
sanctifying grace and the ability to sing, “It is well, it is well with my
soul!”
My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
“Therefore
being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ”
(Romans 5:1).
Peace.
It’s the experiential knowledge that God hears and answers our heartfelt
prayers.
I am resting tonight in this
wonderful peace, Resting sweetly in Jesus’ control;
For I’m kept from all danger by night and by day, And His glory is flooding my soul!
Peace, peace, wonderful peace,For I’m kept from all danger by night and by day, And His glory is flooding my soul!
Coming down from the Father above!
Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray
In fathomless billows of love!
“Thou
wilt keep him in perfect peace,
whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee” (Isaiah 26:3).
Peace.
It’s knowing when to keep opinions to one’s self or even when to keep one’s
mouth shut in order to foster a sweet spirit and an atmosphere of harmony and
love. It’s doing one’s best to live with
no regrets…no bitterness…no grudges…between ourselves and our fellowman. Only if we
are experiencing the peace of God in our hearts can we successfully live in
peace as the Scriptures instruct.
“Even
a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding” (Proverbs 17:28).
“And
to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves” (1Thessalonians
5:13).
“If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live
peaceably with all men” (Romans 12:18).
“Follow
peace with all men, and
holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14).
“When
a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with
him” (Proverbs 16:7).
I’m
not sure there is much more to be said on the subject. And you, dear reader, are probably glad because
it would seem this devotional has gone on long enough!
But before you go, maybe you’ll read just one
more verse…
“The LORD will
give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace” (Psalm
29:11).Peace to you and yours today,
No comments:
Post a Comment