Galatians 5:22,23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace…”
Our world seems to have less and less peace these days. There certainly are wars and rumors of wars filling the news media today.
When Jesus was speaking to a mixed audience of believers and non-believers, He told them: “Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division” (Lu. 12:51). Just two verses before this, He told them: “I am come to send fire on the earth.” He does not intend to send peace to an unbelieving world.
To the Christian, however, those who are His born-again children, He has a very different message. To His disciples, He said: “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” (Jn. 14:27).
God wants us to have peace in our hearts. It is a calming peace, a peace greater than the troubles around us, and a peace better than anything the world can give us.
People of the world often have anxiety – and lots of it. They treat it with pills, drugs, and counseling sessions with psychologists. Christians can go to the Lord in prayer at any time and get their peace restored. What a blessing that is!
The last thing that needs to be said about peace is that God wants us to have peace with other believers. In Mr. 9:50, Jesus said: “Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another.”
Do you have peace in your heart right now? Jesus is the only Source of real peace. It is a fruit of the Spirit. We must obey and fellowship with Him often to maintain the wonderful peace He gives.