Fruit of the Spirit: Peace

I. Text: Galatians 5:16-23

II. What is peace?

A. Webster: “A state of tranquility”

B. Freedom from turmoil, disturbance or strife; harmony

III. With whom should we have peace?

A. Peace with God

B. We began our lives in harmony with God. We become enemies of God through sin, Colossians 1:21. In this state of hostility, God sent His Son to die for us, Romans 5:10.

C. We can have peace with God by surrendering to Him.

D. He could destroy us and will punish us for our sins if we do not repent. However, God wanted peace with us so He offered terms of peace through the sacrifice of Jesus.

E. God offers the terms of peace through the gospel.

F. Ephesians 6:15 Romans 10:15

G. We can accept His offer of peace, surrender to His will, and come under His benevolent rule or reject the peace offering and suffer the consequences.

H. When accepting the peace

I. We do not become prisoners of war but His children, Galatians 3:22-29 We are saved from this present age, Galatians 1:3-5 When rejecting the peace, we reject the only access to the Father, John 14:6.

J. After becoming God’s children, we can reopen hostilities by rebellion.

K. Galatians 1:6-10 – The Galatians were turning from the gospel and, therefore, turning their backs on peace with the Father. Galatians 5:4 – By returning to the Old Law they would fall from God’s grace. Hebrews 10:26-27, 39 – In rebellion, we reject Jesus’ peace offering We must always remember that we are not in a position to dictate our conditions; we can only offer unconditional surrender to God.

L. Peace with man

M. Jesus blessed those who make peace, Matthew 5:9.

N. The Bible urges Christians to pursue peace, to instigate peace with others.

O. Romans 14:192 Timothy 2:22 Hebrews 12:141 Peter 3:11 Galatians 5:26 – Do not provoke others

P. We must actively seek to make peace when there is conflict.

Q. Romans 12:18 – Some will not accept the peace Never let the conflict be your fault; “as much as depends on you” means that we will do everything in our power to make peace. Titus 3:2 – Speak evil of no one and live peaceably

R. To have peace we must resolve conflicts that arise, otherwise we only have a cease-fire.

S. In the Middle East conflict, our country is urging the warring parties to make peace. Sometimes they will call for a cease-fire agreement, which means they have not made peace with one another, but they are not going to attack one another.

T. Unresolved conflict or tension can be destructive

U. Earthquake analogy

V. Recently we experienced an earthquake in our area. Scientists tell us that earthquakes result from the release of tension when large sections of the Earth’s crust pressing against one another slip violently. Apparently, the sections of crust can move along one another but will occasionally build tension at a spot that will not give. Finally, the tension becomes so great that the sections of earth slip violently causing the earthquake. On the surface, one can see the result of the earthquake: damaged buildings, fractured earth, perhaps loss of life. Individuals, like sections of earth, can build tension between themselves and others and, when that tension releases, destroy the world around them. As in an earthquake, deeper tensions cause the surface damage. If the disputants would resolve the tension, they could avoid destruction. Paul warns the Galatians against consuming one another, Galatians 5:15.

W. Those who walk according to the flesh have a state of mind and follow actions that lead to their own destruction and damage others in the process.

X. Hatred Contentions Jealousies Outbursts of wrath Selfish ambitions Dissensions Envy These works of the flesh will destroy marriages, families, neighborhoods, and churches.

Y. In pursuing the flesh, we consume, or destroy, ourselves in the process.

Z. I have never known a person consumed by hatred for another who did not destroy himself with bitterness in the process. Those who are jealous of others or try to destroy others often alienate themselves; eventually nearly everyone offends them at some time.

A. We must not seek peace by compromising the truth

B. Galatians 2:4-5 – Paul did not yield to the false teachers Galatians 2:11-14 – Paul confronted Peter for his hypocrisy Ephesians 3:3-5 – We want unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace but unity in the truth James 3:13-4:7 – Division is sensual not spiritual (Expound)

C. Peace within

D. When we have peace with God and others, it is easier to have peace within. We desire quietness, cessation of turmoil in our lives; tranquil minds.

E. Jesus gives peace that the world cannot comprehend.

F. Man among the tombs after Jesus healed him was in his right mind, Luke 8:35. If we will submit to Jesus, we can have great peace of mind.

G. Philippians 4:6-7 – the peace that cannot be understood

H. When we completely trust God and give everything to Him in prayer, we can have peace knowing that He loves us and is in control. If we are uncommitted, we will not have peace for we do not have trust, James 1:6-8. Many do not have peace because they cannot hand the controls over to God.

I. In all areas of life, with God, others, and ourselves, we must let peace rule and guide us, Colossians 3:15.

IV. How do we have peace?

A. Resolve conflicts quickly – no cease fire

B. With God – quickly repent and obey His will With others – do not let misunderstandings or conflicts fester; resolve them With self – Pray to God for help; face problems and overcome them

C. Be quick to repent and forgive

D. With God – Quickly repent and seek His forgiveness With others – Do not hold grudges; give the benefit of doubt; fix the problem With self – Do not let sin grow; be quick to forgive yourself; be patient

E. Have a peaceful nature

F. With God – Desire to live in harmony with God; don’t be double-minded With others – Do not take offense easily; pursue peace with all men; longsuffering With self – Be realistic and patient with spiritual growth; no perfectionism

G. Remember that peace is active, not passive; it must be sought

V. Conclusion: Peace, as a fruit of the Spirit, is a state of harmony with God, others, and oneself resulting from surrender to God’s will and pursuit of peaceful relations with all men.