“Fruit of the Spirit - Peace”

Hello and welcome to "Key to the Kingdom." My name is Bret McCasland. On a regular basis there seems to be some kind of event that causes unrest in this world, and with that comes confusion, anxiety and uncertainty. And whatever peace we might be enjoying is now at risk. Now, obviously, some are more affected by that than others. But in some parts of the world, it happens all the time. No matter what is happening throughout the world, we all want to enjoy some peace in our daily lives. We want there to be as little stress or anxiety as possible. We long for some quiet times without all the problems and uncertainty that seems to be so common. Well, today in the lesson on "Key to the Kingdom," we will spend some time considering the Fruit of the Spirit called peace. It is one of the nine qualities or characteristics which are evident in the lives of those who are filled with God's Holy Spirit. The Bible teaches us the Lord provides a measure of peace in our lives, unlike any other type of peace this world may offer. And it is through a relationship with Jesus that we experience this peace, as it offers a tremendous spiritual blessing. I hope you will join us for the next few minutes as we learn more about peace. I encourage you now to open up your heart and your Bible as we study together.

If the question was asked, what does this world need more than anything else, a number of answers would be given. Those who are Christians perhaps would say Jesus is needed more than anything else; and perhaps that is true. An answer that would be included on most people's list is peace. In fact, peace is mentioned in a positive way throughout the entire Bible. In the Hebrew language, peace is the word shalom, and that means free from fear. It also means ones well-being in their relationship with God. Jesus, as well as the Apostle Paul, both Jews, would use the word shalom in their customary greetings to other people; and it would be similar to us saying the word hello or hi or how are you doing in our language today. The word shalom, or peace, calls upon God to shower His blessings upon others. In fact, many of us perhaps have sung and continue to sing the song “Peace Perfect, Peace.” What image comes to your mind when we say the word peace; a newborn baby sleeping quietly in her mother's arms, perhaps fishing on the banks of your favorite river, maybe spending a quiet evening at home watching television with your spouse. You know, to live a peaceful life is a goal for many people; and yet, sadly, it never happens. Their lives are filled with anxiety, unrest and trouble on every side. Oh, they long for peace, and yet they have a hard time finding it. The Apostle Paul knew the importance of peace. He was at peace in his relationship with the Lord. He was at peace whether he continued to live here up on this earth or if he was called to be at home with the Lord, as he wrote in Philippians chapter 1. Paul was content and at peace, knowing the Lord would provide for all of his needs (Philippians 4, verse 19). In other words, Paul constantly pursued peace. He constantly enjoyed the peace that God provided to him. He even included peace in the nine Fruit of the Spirit, which we read about in Galatians chapter 5. This one comes after the first two, love and joy, and now he includes peace as number three. In previous lessons we have talked about love and joy, and I want us to spend a few minutes today talking about peace. The Apostle Paul uses the word some 51 times in the 13 letters he wrote; and that is twice as many times as Jesus used the word peace, as is recorded in the Gospels. Here are some examples of what that peace looks like from the Apostle Paul's writings. In Romans chapter 5, in verses 1 and 2, he wrote these words: <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 boast in the hope in the glory of God.> Paul is simply making the point, there is peace in knowing we do not have to live with the guilt and the sin and the shame of the past. There is no need to worry about where we will spend eternity. Why; because we have been justified through faith in Christ and therefore we have peace. Another passage, Philippians chapter 4, verses 6 and 7: <Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, 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.> Oh, the peace we have through the Holy Spirit allows us to put our faith and our trust in the care which God provides. And as Paul wrote, there is no reason to concern ourselves or to be anxious about things in this world which we cannot control. Now, those are just two examples from Romans 5 and Philippians 4 of the peace Christians are able to enjoy and to receive, as we have the salvation of the Lord. The peace, however, Paul writes about most often is found here in Galatians chapter 5. Paul calls for us to live at peace with others, and to strive for peace with our fellow Christians. And he reminds us of the peace we have as we live by and walk in step with the Holy Spirit. Perhaps we would all agree that sometimes that peace does not come easily. It is hard to get along with some people. For one reason or another we don't see eye to eye. We have differences of opinion. One person sees something as important, while we might see something else as more important. And at times that might be hard to accept. But our way may not always be the best way, and for the sake of all concerned, we agree to disagree. We strive to do whatever is best for everyone. The Apostle Paul certainly understood that after he received the salvation of the Lord, He knew the importance of living at peace with others. In writing to the Christians who were living in the city called Rome. Paul knew that would be a tall order, because the church there was made up of a mixture of Jews and Gentiles. In fact, they may have even been meeting in their own separate congregations. But Paul wanted them to coexist in a spirit of peace. There were some major differences between those two groups of people. Even though they had all been saved the very same way, and that is through the blood of Jesus Christ, there were some cultural and traditional matters to consider; and that was just natural. One group saw themselves as being stronger spiritually while the other group demanded they were the only true Christians. Some had no problem eating any kind of food, while others held fast to certain holy days. It was a challenge for one group to give in to the other, or even to accept each other as they were. In chapters 14 and 15 of that letter called Romans, Paul urges them to accept one another and to quit quarreling about what he called matters of opinion. In other words, they were to accept one another in the name of the Lord because they were all part of the same family. And so Paul told the Gentile Christians not to look down on the Jewish Christians because they held to some out-of-date rules in regards to the food which they could eat or could not eat, and the holidays which they chose to celebrate. And then he told the Jews not to condemn the Gentiles for what appeared to be a carefree lifestyle. And then he wrote this most important statement: “Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another?” and “Why do you despise your brother, for we will all stand before the judgment seat of God.” Yes, Paul wanted them to have done with the divisiveness, to have done with those things which did not promote peace. He then wrote these words, in chapter 14, verses 18 and 19. <Whoever serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. And so then, let us pursue what makes for peace and mutual of building.> Paul said pursue that. Make an effort to be at peace with one another. Focus on that which builds up and doesn't tear down, so that your relationships will be peaceful. Paul knew that peace and the building up of one another would not be an easy thing to do, even among Christians. It would be a challenge. And I believe that if the Apostle Paul were with us today that he would tell us the very same thing; pursue that which makes for peace. And he would tell us that not because we are not doing it, but rather if we don't pursue that which makes for peace it will not happen naturally. In other words, Paul wants us to get along in a spirit of peace, and it will take some effort from everybody in order for that to happen. Paul then wrote these words to those Christians there in Rome, in chapter 15, verse 3: <May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another in accord with Jesus Christ, that together you may with one voice, glorify God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.> I love those words: Together with one voice, with endurance and encouragement in harmony with one another, you live in such a way that glorifies and honors the One who has saved you. Paul shows us very clearly what true peace is supposed to look like, especially among those who call themselves Christians. It is to accept one another, even if we are in disagreement. It is to avoid talking about other people behind their back. So in a positive way, it is to encourage. It is to build up one another in the faith. It is to have the mind of Jesus Christ and seek to bring glory and honor to God the Father. To stay in the context of Galatians chapter 5, it is to live by and to keep in step with the Holy Spirit who lives within us. According to the Apostle, here, living in peace with one another is a really big deal. It is serious business. It carries the same significance as living in a spirit of love and joy and all the other nine fruit or qualities, characteristics of those who call themselves Children of God. You know, the church you attend may not be a mixture of Jews and Gentiles, like the church there in Rome, but we are all different in other ways, aren't we? We don't all like the same television shows or cheer for the same football team. Not all of us enjoy the same kind of food. We have differences about what we like or what we don't like in the worship services where we attend. We may not like the preacher talking about certain topics or how the finance committee chooses to spend or not spend the donated funds. We could put a number of things on such a list. But here's the point: Matters of opinion are not to prevent us from living in peace with one another and in peace with the Lord. Think about this for just a moment: That is at the very heart of why Jesus even gave His life on the cross. Paul puts it so well in these words from Ephesians chapter 2, beginning with verse 13. <But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He, Himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in His flesh the Law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in Himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace...> Isn't that a great passage! Jesus died upon the cross so that we can be at peace in our relationships. We are one family, whether it be Jew or Gentile. We come together in a peaceful relationship and family that belongs to the Lord. Whether we are in full agreement, or not, with one another, we learn to live in peace. But when we make our opinions a matter of contention instead of agreeing to disagree, I've got to believe the Lord just shakes His head in disappointment. You know, Jesus thought enough of us to die for us without any exception. No matter who we are, no matter what we might look like, no matter what our background might be, the least we can do is to learn to live at peace with one another. No doubt there are times in a church family where things, I would say, go sideways; that they get off track in some form or fashion. Words are spoken and things are done which might rub people the wrong way. Feelings get hurt. People may even bite and devour one another, as Paul wrote in Galatians chapter 5 and verse 15. Not every day is a good day when we have to deal with the problems and the issues and the unexpected challenges which might arise from time to time. Some people don't like you, or like me, for one reason or another, while we might see people who have offended us in the past and have some difficult feelings about them. But the point is, as Christians we don't quit. We don't give up on each other. Instead, we do that which makes for peace. So we demonstrate a little more love. We live with a little more joy, and we put into practice living in peace. And we do that because God has called us to do that through His teaching in God's Word. And the wonderful thing about it is we already have the power to live at peace with one another. It's interesting to notice, there in Galatians chapter 5, the Holy Spirit has already provided for us all the peace we need to live in a way that represents we belong to the Lord. We have all the peace we need to get along with one another. We have all the peace we need to love and to support one another without selfish ambition. Through the Holy Spirit living within us we have all the strength we need to live with humility and to extend grace to one another; and the Apostle Paul would want us to demonstrate that spirit of peace. And we do so, according to Galatians 5, when we keep in step with the Holy Spirit. We do so when we put to death the works of the flesh. We do so when we allow the Fruit of the Spirit to be seen and demonstrated in our daily lives. You know, Paul wanted the recipients of all of his letters to strive for peace in their relationships, and he mentioned it several times. Let me highlight just three passages, quickly. The first one in 2nd Corinthians 13, verse 11, he wrote: <Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.> Paul said here are some things I want you to focus on. I want you to strive for these things. I want you to pursue them. And one of them is to live in peace. And when you do that, the love and the peace of God will be with you. Ephesians 4, verse 3 <Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.> We don't have to create that peace, it's already there. And Paul says make every effort to keep that unity, to keep that peace that is available to you. And then Colossians 3, verse 15: <Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.> We were called by God, as we are in His family, to live in peace with one another. You know, to do that, no doubt, was a very challenging thing for the early church. It did not come easily. Many challenges stood in the way of them doing that. And still, that is a challenge for us today. And so how do we cultivate those relationships of peace? Let me offer a few things for us to consider as we think about some practical applications. First of all, when conflicts arise, address them before they lead to something worse. That makes sense, doesn't it? Conflicts will arise, but before they get too far gone, before they cause too much commotion and problems, we come together and we address that. We try to catch it early before it grows into something which we cannot handle. We address them before there are greater problems of hate and discord and bitterness. Yes, when un-peaceful situations come about, address them quickly and get them figured out. Secondly, seek to know the truth before making false accusations. Well, that's important! Before we begin to point fingers or blame people or accuse people of something they did or did not even do, make sure we have the facts all laid out before that happens. Number three: Be quick to apologize and to say what I believe to be the three hardest words in the English language, “I am sorry.” That's hard to do sometimes, isn't it? It's hard to apologize. It's hard to say, “I messed up. I am sorry,” and, “I want things to be better.” A fourth thing I would suggest is avoid words or attitudes that create division. Stay away from those negative thoughts. Stay away and don't use those words that tear down; but rather, use those words that build up. We know all of those things, and, no doubt, we're probably doing a good job of putting them into practice on a regular basis. But from time to time, we simply need a reminder. And that's what the Holy Spirit does. The Holy Spirit who lives within us is the constant reminder of the peace we already have through our Lord Jesus Christ; and how we are to put it into practice, and how it is to be demonstrated in our relationship with other people. Perhaps you have heard the Serenity Prayer; that's what it's called by many people. Saint Francis of Assisi is the one who is credited with coming up with this. Let me end with these words of that serenity prayer. “Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me show love. Where there is injury; pardon. Where there is doubt; faith. Where there is despair; hope. Where there is darkness; light. And where there is sadness; joy. Amen.” I would encourage you, today, to take that challenge, to put it into practice in your life, and to be an instrument of peace as you are led by God's Holy Spirit, today.

This is one of my favorite places. I enjoy coming here to sit, to relax, to think. Beautiful green grass, water in the background, it's where I come to talk with the Lord. I come to be quiet, to be still before God, to read Scripture, perhaps, to spend time in prayer. Maybe you have a quiet, serene place like this and you enjoy going there just to close out things in this world and to be alone with God. And it is good we do such a thing from time to time; to just meditate, to be alone with the Lord, to close out all of the things in the world around us. And I suppose we do that in order to develop what we would call inner peace, to be at peace in our relationship with God, to be at peace in our relationships with other people. And that's what Jesus provides. He has been referred to as the Prince of Peace, and no doubt He is the one who provides the peace in our life. Jesus told His disciples, one time, “In this world you will have trouble but be of good cheer, because I have overcome this world.” In the midst of all of the pain, the problems, the trials of life, sometimes we need to be reminded of that, don't we; to be reminded that Jesus offers the peace in a world full of turmoil and problems. I would hope today that you take a moment to think about spending time with the Lord. Spend time reading and studying and meditating on God's Word. Spend time in prayer and find a quiet, serene place, like this, where you can simply be alone with God. And as you do, reaffirm the presence and the peace that God puts into your life.

Thank you for taking time to watch this episode of “Key to the Kingdom.” I trust this message on the Fruit of the Spirit called peace offered a word of hope and encouragement. Now, if you would like to hear it again, it can be found on our website at keytothekingdom.com. It, along with many other lessons, is available for you to watch or to listen to again. Each one is offered freely. It doesn't cost anything and there is no obligation to purchase or sign up for any other lessons. On the website you can also find one-minute and two-minute devotional thoughts. They offer a word of inspiration as you seek to walk daily with the Lord. There are other Bible lessons and information on the website, as well; and they, too, are available without any cost or obligation. It is our privilege to share these messages from week to week, and I hope you will tune in at this same time just as often as you can. Once again, let me say thank you for being our guest today. And please, join us again next time, as we continue to study the Bible on “Key to the Kingdom.”