The fruit of the Spirit is…peace

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

        Rivers, in fact oceans, of words have flowed on the subject of peace. The Great War (what we now call only World War 1) was thought to be “the war to end all wars.” It was hoped that a remembrance on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, would be a permanent memorial. We know how briefly that lasted.

        But our focus here is on Scripture. The two words in the Bible are Hebrew, “shalom”, in the OT; and Greek, “eirene”, in the NT. I did a computer search of the NIV and found that “peace” occurs 232 times. That’s a lot of references to analyze! Let’s start with the word itself—Merriam-Webster’s number one definition is a “state of tranquillity or quiet” relative to personal, inter-personal, civil, national, or international life.

        As always, we want to relate this fruit to the life of our Lord so we start with a big prophecy: Isaiah said, “To us a child is born, to us a son is given…and he will be called…Prince of Peace.” (9:6.) Then he said later, “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” (26:3.) Isaiah loved the subject of peace—in 32:15-17, he says, “till the Spirit is poured on us from on high…The fruit of that righteousness will be peace.” And his great salvation verse always amazes us: “The punishment that brought us peace was on him!” (53:5.)

        Let’s move into the gospels. Remember Christmas, and the angels: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace.” (Lk.2:14.) Just a few days later old Simeon said, “Now dismiss your servant in peace, for my eyes have seen your salvation.” (lk.2:29.) Remember the woman who washed Jesus’ feet with her tears? In the end, Jesus said to her, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” (Lk.7:50.) Then, as Jesus came down the side of Olivet, into Jerusalem, the whole crowd began to praise God, “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” After the cross some of the Lord’s very last words, to the disciples and the two who returned from Emmaus, were, “Peace be with you.” (Lk.24:36.)

        So far, we’ve looked mostly at the fact of peace, and how it comes through the Messiah. As we turn to the Acts, and the Letters, the Holy Spirit starts to fill out the details of what that peace is. For instance, in Acts we learn (what we already knew of course) that peace is good news (10:36), and a blessing (15:33). It comes freely from God and from Jesus (Rom.1:7), it is a reward for doing good (Rom.2:10), it is a way to walk in (Rom.3:17), it is a relationship with God (Rom.5:1), it is governed by the Spirit (Rom.8:6), it is a component of   the kingdom of God (Rom.14:17), it is to be our target and aim (Rom.14:19), it will fill us as we trust in God (Rom.15:13), it is a characteristic of God Himself (Rom.15:33).      More— Christ is our peace (Eph.2:14), he reconciles Jew and Gentile (Eph.2:16), peace can create a good bond (Eph.4:3), we must let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts (Col.3:15), after discipline, it is part of the harvest (Heb.12:11), and Peter tells us to make every effort to be at peace with Christ. (2 Pet.3:14.)

        How can we summarize the ultimate peace of the believer? It is first of all a right relationship with God, then with all fellow believers. In this life, sin still interferes. “Righteousness and peace” often don’t “kiss each other.” (Psa.85:10.) Our great hope is what Jesus promised in the Sermon on the Mount— “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” (Mat.5:6.)