The Fruit of the Holy Spirit- Peace

The Fruit of the Holy Spirit. Galatians 5:22,23.

Peace:

* Peace is love's agreement.
Read: Galatians 5:22; Jn.14:27, 16:33; Col.3:15; Mat.5:9; Rom.5:1; Phil.4:7; Rom.14:17. Mat.11:28-30; Is.28:12; Heb.4:3; Rev. 14:13.

* Note the difference between the 'rest' & 'peace'.
* Rest is to be free from labor, work, burden or load due to completion or release.

Peace (Definition) is an inner state of tranquility(and rest)in the midst of trouble, confusion, sorrow and such adverse conditions.
It is the state of harmony with oneself and others or outside world.
- sometimes you may have 'rest' but not peace (thats why we say for the dead RIP!)
* Peace has to do with the state of mind and heart.
* Rest has to do with the activity of the body & mind.

The Kinds of peace - (several aspects of peace):-
1.The peace with God:-Because of sin, man is at war and enmity with God. James 4:4;Is.59:8,48:22; Rom.5:1; Is.53:5; Col.1:20.
The wicked have no peace because they are not at peace with God. Is.27:5; Ac.10:36; Eph.2:14; 2Cor.5:18-19.
2. The peace of God:-when we establish peace with God, we will receive and experience the peace of God. This is something He gives as a gift. The Holy Spirit helps to manifest and express this fruit in believer's life. Ps.29:11; Phil.4:7; Jn.14:27; 16:33; Is.26:3; Jer.14:13.
The source of peace: Father- Phil.4:7; Ps.29:11; Son-Jn.14:27, 16:33; Holy Spirit-Gal.5:22.
The contrast-The Lord came to send sword into families, society: Matt.10:34-36; Lk.12:51-53; Jn.7:43, 9:16; 1Cor.7:5; Eph.5:18-29,33, 6:1-9.
3. The peace in ourselves:-Man is filled with feelings of guilt, disturbance and depression as a result of sin. But when we have the peace of God ruling our hearts and minds, we will be at harmony with ourselves. Ps.4:8; Rom.8:6,3:17;Is.57:21; Lam.3:17; 1Tim.2:2.
4. Being peacemakers:-Giving peace to others, maintaining peace, influencing to bring this condition of tranquility & rest. Gen.13:8;Mt.5:9;Prov.12:20;Jam.3:18; Rom.14:19, 2:18;2Cor.5:20,18;Heb.12:14;1Cor.7:15.

How to have and cultivate peace in our personal lives?:
1. By seeking or it, since it can be found- need to be determined to get peace! Ps.34:14;1Pet.3:11;Job 22:21; Col.3:15.
2. By loving God's Word-reading, meditating,obeying it. Ps.119:165;Is.48:18,54:13.
3. Being Spiritually minded-controlling the thoughts. Rom.8:6;Is.26:3;Phil.4:8;Heb.12:1-2;Mat.14:29-30.
4. By Prayer-asking God to give and believing it based on His promises. Phil.4:4-7;Jn.16:23,15:16,14:27,16:33.
5. By submitting to the control and discipline of the Holy Spirit-by not allowing sinful habits to overcome/rule over us. Rom.14:17;Gal.5:24-26.

How it is to be cultivated in the Church: Ps.133:1.
* In the worship order-1Cor.14:33.
* deliberately, making effort-2Cor.13:11.
* endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit- Eph.4:3.
* Being of the same mind-Phil.4:2.
* Esteeming the Lord's servants highly-1Thess.5:12-13.
* Fleeing sin & following peace-2Tim.2:22.
* By various ways-1Pet.3:8-13.
* Reconciliation-Matt.5:23-24.

" Now the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all."
2 Thessalonians 3:16.

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