Google the phrase “World Peace” and you will be bombarded with website after website declaring the desire for a worldwide peace. It is the desire of most Miss America’s, seemingly the entire 60’s generation, and probably, over 90% of the world’s population. In my younger days, one of the more popular songs was a song entitled “Peace Train”, recorded in 1971. This song voiced the hope for peace and was in the top ten for an extended time. For those of you who don’t remember it please take a look here: (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G52Z84vF4fk&feature=related)
Certainly, world peace has been and continues to be one of the greatest wants of mankind. It is very easy to understand why there is such a longing for peace. Just think of the number of human lives lost in all the past wars here on earth. I’m sure the total is staggering. Just in my lifetime, Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan has cost the lives of more than 63,000 Americans, not to mention over 380,000 Americans wounded. These numbers do not count the civilian casualties, much less the casualties from the other countries participating in these wars.
It would seem that, with world peace being such a popular idea, and the price of war being so terribly high, we could have a permanent peace. But we don’t. As much as we want it, no matter how hard we try to attain it…we have no peace.
However, when it comes to world peace, all hope is not lost. The Bible teaches us that the existence of wars and the threats of coming wars doesn’t surprise our Lord. The Lord knew these “perilous” times would come upon the world, and He proved it by giving us advance warning (Lk 21:8-11.) He made it quite plain that in spite of all these horrible wars brought about by man, He remains in complete and absolute control (Dan 4:35). The Lord guarantees us that, someday, He will restore a perfect peace to this earth (Isa 11:4-10).
Besides this outward, worldly peace, there is another more important inward peace that comes only from our Lord. This is the peace of Galatians 5:22-25 …
THE SCRIPTURE:
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. (Gal 5:22-25)
THE STUDY:
The peace of Gals 5:22 is one of the “fruits of the Spirit”. It is given to us through the Spirit of God that indwells us at salvation. It is the assurance that both our life here on earth, and in the hereafter, are in the hands of our Lord. It is the peace we receive when we know HE WILL CARE FOR US, PROTECT US, and ACCOMPANY US from here through eternity. It is a peace that “passes all understanding” (Phil 4:6-7). It is the peace that only God can give (John 14:27).
Can you imagine a peace that brings us joy in the midst of any trial we face in life? Can you imagine being able to think about death with an assurance that we have an eternity with God awaiting us? Have you put down the burden of your sin knowing all of your acts of disobedience have been forgiven by God? This is what this peace is all about.
THE PRACTICAL APPLICATION:
But it doesn’t end there. God does not give us this peace to hide within ourselves. He gives it to us that we might display it in our lives. That is why it is called a “fruit” … it is to be given off by us, like an apple tree gives off an apple for another’s benefit.
For a Christian, peace is given to us, contained within us, and then revealed to others by us. As we exhibit this peace in our lives, others see it and are shown what they are missing. As an act of thankfulness to God, we display our peace, glorifying Him in the eyes of a lost mankind. This is being a fruit-bearing Christian.
For those who are not saved by God’s grace, please be honest and sense the burden you are living under. God’s Word makes it clear that we all have sinned. Because of this sin we are separated from our God. (Romans 3:23 & 5:12) Separation from God has two aspects to it: first, it includes no communion with Him and secondly, facing His eternal judgment in the lake of fire. (Isaiah 59:2 & Rev 20:15) If we come to the Lord, trusting Him and His work on the cross, we can be saved. This trust involves our willingness to submit our entire lives to His leadership and rely on His work on the cross to pay the sin debt that we all owe to God. (2 Peter 1:10-11 & Galatians 3:11-14)
It is only through this faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, that salvation from our sins can be received. It is only through this faith that we can share in the peace that all God’s people possess.
If you have any questions concerning this blog, or if you have a subject you would like discussed, please feel free to email me at settledinheaven@gmail.com. I will answer all emails via my blog, email, or both.
May the Lord bless your study of His Word.
Like God’s Word… may your soul’s salvation and your life’s faithfulness be “Settled in Heaven.”
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