Keep in Step with the Spirit 4

We are working our way through the fruit of our lives that together help us to show that we are walking in step with the Spirit in our lives.

Galatians 5:22-23 [NIV] 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Romans 12:18 [NIV] If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone

Today, we tackle peace. The Word of God tells us to have peace, to seek peace, and to sew people. It is the all-purpose fruit.

We can have peace by loving God and remembering that we are called to Him for a purpose. But I think, even more so because we can know that, since He has called us for a purpose, that everything is working out to our good.  

Romans 8:28 [KJV] “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose.”

I feel there can be great peace in knowing that the trials of life are not for our destruction (although it can feel like they will destroy us) but are a part of God’s working everything toward our ultimate good.

Also, don’t worry, peace is not something that has to be worked up. Christ Jesus offers it to us.

Colossians 3:15 [NLT] And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. We just need to let it rule within us.

We are told to seek it out. Psalm 34:14 [NIV] “Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.”  But that seems to refer to seeking it with others, which clearly will be more work for us than it takes to have peace with God (since Jesus did the hard work for us).

Romans 12:18 [NIV] If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. See, it’ll take work. We have to do our part to live at peace with others, but this scripture indicates if they aren’t willing it might not work.

1 Thessalonians 5:13 [NLT] Show them great respect and wholehearted love because of their work. And live peacefully with each other.

Those who walk in step with the Spirit will have peace in them, even in the midst of storms, and will proactively work toward peace with others.

And, perhaps most importantly, we will have peace with the Father because Jesus has paid our debt, taking away the animosity caused by our sins.

I welcome your comments and questions. You can write me in the comments section or any time at Nancy@DynamicChristianMinistries.org