Fruit of the Spirit
Lesson 4
Galations 5:22-26
The Fruit of Peace
John 14:27
Phil 4:7-9
The world is looking for peace. When asked what would you do if you had the power to change the world, you often hear people say, "I would bring world peace" Well peace can not be obtained by physical efforts of the world. And world peace will never come until the world is at peace with God and then they will have his peace. Isaiah 59:8, Isaiah 48:22
In John 14:27 Jesus said Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives to I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
That is why there is no peace in the world, fear has gripped their hearts. They believe the bad reports. The papers, the news, the doctors, whatever brings them bad news, they believe it. If they all knew God, they would have peace. Who’s report will you believe? The world’s or God’s? Again, like the first two fruits it is not something you can work up, it has to come from within.
Philippians 4:7-9
The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds though Christ Jesus.
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are just, what ever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy, meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.
You can’t "figure out" God’s peace, it is beyond your intellect. Just let God’s peace rule and it will guard your heart and mind against the things that satan would bring to disturb you and bring you stress. In every day life there are constantly things that are coming against your mind to bring you down. Satan will attack your mind, trying to cause you to worry and be upset, anything to rob you of your peace.
So how do we avoid this? By thinking on the truth, things that are just, lovely things, things of good report, things of good virtue and anything that is praise worthy. Satan doesn’t want you to do that. He wants you to believe lies and bad reports, ugliness in the world, sin. Don’t give him the satisfaction of falling into his trap. Do a check list and if it isn’t listed in Phil 4:8, don’t think about it. Don’t give it the time of day. If you think on the things listed in verse 8, the peace of God will rule in your heart and mind. When the stress of life comes your way, get into a quiet place with God and let his peace pour over you. But what if it is true??? Is it of a good report? Don’t believe it. We walk by faith, not by sight. What we see with the eye is not what you should go by. Jesus already paid the price for your peace.
Isaiah 53:5
But He was wounded for our transgressions, bruised for our iniquities, the chastisement of our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.
As well as physically abusing Jesus, they mentally abused him too. They swore at him and said he wasn’t who he said he was. And the ultimate mental torment was when God had to turn His back on him when he was on that cross. Jesus cried out "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?" Imagine the torment he went through, so that you might have forgiveness of sin, healing and PEACE. If you accept salvation, why would you not accept healing and peace? It is a package deal! You shouldn’t take one without the other.
Eph 2:14
He is our peace, who has made us one and broken down the middle wall of division between us.
There was a wall between us and God called sin. Jesus broke it down. Now we have freedom to go into the Father and seek peace and all He has for us.
Isaiah 26:3
You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.
If we keep our mind stayed on Christ, our mind stayed on God, we will have peace. Peace in the midst of the storm. Jesus was with his disciples out in a boat. A storm arose and began to toss the boat upon the waves. The disciples awoke Jesus and said, "Don’t you care that we perish?" Jesus arose and spoke to the sea and said, PEACE, be still. And immediately the sea became calm. Then he turned to the disciples and said "Where was your faith?" When you are tossed with the storms of life, Jesus will calm the storm, have faith in Him.
There is a wonderful old hymn that was a favorite of my mother’s.
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
Refrain
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blessed assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
Refrain
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!
Refrain
And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.
Refrain
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
Refrain
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blessed assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
Refrain
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!
Refrain
And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.
Refrain
