The Fruit of the Holy Spirit

Part Three – Peace

By Michael K. Farrar, O.D.

© God’s Breath Publications

 

In part one of this series we learned that Paul encouraged Christians to let the Word of Christ dwell richly within them (Colossians 3:16-17). He also encouraged followers of Christ to be filled with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18-20). Paul also taught that as believers obeyed the Word, followed the example of Christ and were filled with the Spirit they would manifest the fruit of the Holy Spirit.   

 

Galatians 5:22-25

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.”

 

This bearing of fruit is God’s will for our lives and it brings Him great glory.

John 15:8

“This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.”

 

So as we allow God’s Spirit to live in and through us, the Spirit produces a set of Christ-like qualities or virtues within us, the fruit of the Spirit. This fruit of the Spirit is manifested in relationships, in our relationship with God as well as with other followers of Christ. While we might think that the fruit of the Spirit are personal attributes and private virtues, they are more importantly interpersonal qualities, virtues that are a result of people loving and ministering to one another as they let the Word of Christ dwell in them, as they are filled with the Spirit. The fruit of the Spirit is manifested as we grow spiritually and this fruit is a nine-fold visible attribute of a true Christian life. This fruit is not a list of individual “fruits” from which we pick and choose. Rather, the fruit of the Spirit is one nine-fold “fruit” that characterizes all who truly walk in the Holy Spirit. Collectively, this is the fruit that all Christians should be producing in their new lives in Jesus Christ. In other words, the fruit of the Spirit is a physical manifestation of a Christian’s transformed life. In our last segments we learned about love and joy. Now we study peace.

Peace is a state of assurance, lack of fear, and a sense of contentment. It is fellowship, harmony, and unity between individuals and/or God.

 

The Old Testament word for peace is the Hebrew word shalom which includes the idea of wholeness and well-being—everything being as it should be.

 

The New Testament Greek word for peace is “eirene” (pronounced: eh-rey-ney). It can also be translated as “oneness,”  “quietness” or “rest.”

 

Someone who is not in a relationship with God is in a state of unrest because of sin. Their heart, soul and mind are not peaceful and serene because they are in opposition to the Lord (Romans 8:6) and do not have the Spirit of God, the God of peace within them(1 Thessalonians 5:23). Once a person repents and accepts Christ as Lord and Savior they are granted peace. This peace comes from having their sins forgiven and the privilege of now having a relationship with their Heavenly Father.

 

“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord

Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now

stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.”

Romans 5:1

 

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:6–7

 

This passage in Philippians gives us an intimate description of the deep peace of God one can possess. It is often hard to explain how the peace from God can sustain us when the world is crumbling around us or trials are pressing down upon us. But that is the power of peace that God can give us. We have the fruit of the Spirit when we are keeping in step with the Spirit and one aspect of this fruit is God’s peace.

 

Jesus also gives us peace in our relationship with Him.

 

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let

your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

John 14:27

 

As a follower of Christ trusts in Jesus, the Holy Spirit that lives within them gives them the power to have hope and peace.

 

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Romans 15:13

 

Of course if a Christian fails to trust in God and obey the Word of God, their peace will diminish because they are out of fellowship with the Lord. Galatians chapter 5 addresses the conflict that can arise between the Spirit and the flesh. As long as a Christian lets the Word of God dwell in them richly and lives according to the Word they will be filled with the Spirit and the fruit of the Spirit will be manifested in their life. Peace from God is part of this fruit.

 

The word, “eirene,” peace, was often used in a political sense to describe a town or village that was well-run—where things operated efficiently, where people got along with each other, where prosperity and opportunity prevailed. The leader or official of such a town was often known as the “Peace Keeper.”

 

Peace is unity between people. Followers of Christ are called to live at peace with all people, not just fellow believers.

 

“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath.”

Romans 12:18–19

 

The definition of peace begins with “the absence of war or hostility.” But the dictionary also describes peace as “freedom from quarrels and disagreements; harmonious relations.” Certainly, peace is what we hope to enjoy in our church fellowships, not just the absence of conflict, but the presence of harmony, order, and vitality.

 

Paul wrote Galatians because he had to address an unfortunate controversy in the churches in Galatia. The churches were not enjoying peace and prosperity. In fact, things had gotten pretty ugly. This was because false teachers were disrupting the peace by influencing people with false doctrines.    

 

Galatians 1:6-7

“I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ.”

What began as a doctrinal controversy quickly became a social conflict, as Gentile believers were made to feel like second-class citizens in the body of Christ. As love diminished in relationships with God and other believers; their joy vanished; and then they lost their peace. It’s amazing how quickly false beliefs and fleshly motives can cause a dispute and derail the peace of relationships in a community, church, family, friendship or marriage. Paul in Galatians calls us to live by the Spirit. We need to remember that Jesus is our Peace Maker and the Spirit is our Peace Keeper.

 

Fear often enters our life and this can cause conflicts within us which can lead to conflicts in relationships. When we fear, we are lacking faith in the power and sovereignty of God. Once fear has a foothold we begin to mistrust scripture, then God and then we get out of step with the Spirit. When we are not living a life filled with the Spirit we will fail to manifest the fruit of the Spirit and a lack of peace will be felt. In the upper room after the death of Christ there was a lot of fear. But when Jesus stepped into the room, the first thing he said was, “Peace be with you.” Jesus couldn’t remain with these believers, so he gave them the gift of the Holy Spirit to be with them, and in them always. We receive this gift of the Holy Spirit when we accept Christ as Lord and Savior and the Holy Spirit remains is with us for the rest of our lives, even into eternity. As we let the Spirit rule in our lives, in accordance with the Word of God, we can have this deep godly peace. Numerous passages illustrate that obedience to the Word will bring peace because we live by the Spirit when we obey Holy Scripture.

 

2 Corinthians 13:11 – “Finally, brothers,…aim for perfection, listen to my appeal, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.”   

 

Ephesians 4:3-6 – “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit— just as you were called to one hope when you were called— one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”

 

2 Timothy 2:22 – “Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”

  

Hebrews 12:10-11 – “Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”

   

Hebrews 12:14 – “Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.”

 

Christ’s return to earth to rule and reign will bring peace to all.

 

“And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.” Isaiah 9:6–7

 

So until Jesus Christ returns to this earth, seek the peace of God, first by seeking Him through His Son, then by letting the Word of God dwell richly within you, and finally as the Holy Spirit fills your entire being. Through submission, obedience and humility the fruit of the Spirit will manifest itself in you and the peace of God will permeate all you are and do.