The Third Fruit of the Spirit - Peace

Different types of trees produce different types of fruit.  Jesus “trees” produce Jesus’s character.  When your life is rooted in Jesus, the fruit you bear is that of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).

Peace is the third fruit of the Spirit.  Jesus was called the “Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6), so if your life is rooted in Jesus, His peace lives in you.  Peace becomes your dwelling place.

Peace says “even if” to the difficult circumstances we sometimes face.  Even if  I’m in quarantine, I have peace.  Even if  I lose my job, I have peace.  Even if  I am waiting, I have peace.  This “even if” kind of peace surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7).

Jesus spoke of His peace to His disciples: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.  Not as the world gives do I give to you.  Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid” (John 14:27).  

The world thinks that peace is the absence of conflict.  We strive for “peace accords."  But for the follower of Jesus, peace means His presence.  He is with us no matter what we may face.  He is fighting our battles.  We allow Him to do so.  He conquers our enemies and brings peace.

Peace then is a grace gift.  It has no ties to the world, it exists solely in followers of Jesus.  It must exist in those whose lives are rooted in Jesus.  This root produces His fruit.

The first words Jesus gave His disciples in His first resurrection appearances were: “Peace be with you.”   He wants us to walk in His peace.  And when our hearts become His, we do.

Let your life be rooted completely in Jesus.  When so, you will bear His fruit.

And have Jesus’s perfect peace.