As we continue on identifying the fruits of the Holy Spirit, today, we land on The Fruit Of Peace. Peace has the power to change atmospheres, change situations and change people. Jesus is identified as our Prince of Peace.
Jesus Christ is the only reason and only way that we can truly live peacefully with God.
Yes, He’s not just a Prince; He’s a King! This peace He gives to us as well. He’s promised this: “The Lord will give strength to His people. The Lord will give His people peace.” Psalm 29: 11
That promise was given in the Old Testament and carried all through the New Testament. He reassured us, saying, “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give peace to you as the world gives.” John 14: 27a
I love how in His teaching, He addresses those things that will prevent us from receiving this supernatural peace. At the end of the verse, Jesus immediately tells His followers, “Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.” John 14: 27b
He knows what will rob us of peace, allowing our hearts to be troubled.
A few chapters later, He tells us how to keep our peace. “I have told you these things so you may have peace in Me.” John 16: 33a
Our Prince of Peace, Jesus, wants us to have peace in Him.
Once again, He reminds us of how trouble robs us of peace when He says, “In the world you will have much trouble. But take hope! I have power over the world!” John 16: 33b
Other translations say, “I have overcome the world.”
So, how can we not allow our troubles, the troubles of the world or the enemy to not rob our peace?
He tells us that we “have power over them.”
Having power over what comes against us comes through the authority He has given us.
Are we walking in His authority? Here’s what He told the church of Ephesus: “Now He is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come. God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made Him head over all things for the benefit of the church. And the church is His body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with Himself.” Ephesians 1: 21-22
Folks, His authority He has not kept to Himself; He has freely shared it with us. It’s part of the IN Christ we carry within.
As His follower the Prince of Peace lives inside of us.
Am I saying we are Jesus? No, but IN Him we live and move and have our being.
How can we exercise His authority in the area of peace?
This is the only way: “Through Christ, God has given us the privilege and authority as apostles to tell Gentiles everywhere what God has done for them, so that they will believe and obey him, bringing glory to His name.” Romans 1: 5
Peace is a biproduct of obedience. When we are walking in obedience to what He has called us to, we remain in His peace as we serve to glorify Him not ourselves.
Walking in peace has many benefits. Here’s one: “When the Lord takes pleasure in anyone’s way, He causes their enemies to make peace with them.” Proverbs 16: 7
Even in those awful circumstances and situations that we encounter in this life, we can have the peace of the Lord.
We can have that “Peace that passes all understanding. His peace will guard our hearts and minds as we live in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4: 7
Having peace that guards our hearts and minds is a peace that we cannot define nor understand. Our mind is the battleground that the enemy continually attacks to steal our joy and our peace.
There is a Hebrew word for peace; that word is Shalom. This word is so much more than just peace; it is completeness, soundness, welfare and peace. God has promised this kind of peace: “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” Isaiah 26: 3
We will never be able to attain and keep perfect peace other than through Jesus.
KINGDOM ASSURANCE
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