Message Summary

This is the fourth of several messages focusing on the “Fruit of the Spirit” in Galatians 5:22–23. This week we look at “peace.” Pastor A highlighted that peace is a major theme in Scripture. The Hebrew term for peace, shalōm, occurs nearly 290 times in the OT. The NT Greek term for peace is eirēnē, which occurs 92 times in the NT. Today we will attempt to ask an answer several questions related to “peace.”
1. Why does peace seem so elusive to us? (Ps 32:1–5) A Maskil of David. Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit. For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Selah. I acknowledge my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah.1
What is it that keeps David from peace with God?
How does he describe his separation from the Lord?
What does David do to relieve his misery?
How does the Lord respond? Does it surprise you that God forgives so freely, especially when we understand how grievous an offence sin is against him (cf. Ps 51:4)?

2. How can we have peace with God? (Rom 5:1, 10; 2 Cor 5:18–21) Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ…For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.
What is the basis or foundation of our “peace with God” (Rom 5:1a)? Justified by faith through Jesus Christ. Justification is a forensic term, meaning God declares us righteous, not because of any good we have done, but on account of the righteousness of Jesus.
What is this “peace” believers have with God as a result of Christ’s sacrifice for us (Rom 5:10)? It is described as “reconciliation.” Reconciliation has to do with the removal of hostility between God and us. We were enemies, but now, on account of Christ’s sacrifice, we are not his friends.

All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.2 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God (2 Cor 5:18–20).

Paul gives us a simple description of what reconciliation is. How does he describe it (v. 19a)?
How was God able to not count our transgressions against us? Jesus bore our sins and the punishment for sin in his body on the cross.
Now that we have been reconciled to God in Christ, what are we called to do (cf. Matt 5:9)? How often do you look for opportunities to do this? Where can you start to do this?

3. Who enables us to live peacefully? (John 14:25–27) These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. 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.

Who is the [indwelling] agent that enables us to have peace?
How does he give or enable us to have peace? Does the fact that he’s “another Helper” (vv. 16–17) help you answer this?
The peace Jesus gives in the person of the Holy Spirit is not like the world. What ways does the world promise peace? These may be good things. Why don’t they live up to their promise?
Does the peace that Jesus gives imply the absence of difficulty or suffering? Consider the context—immediate context: Jesus is leaving them; surrounding context: they will be hated by the world (John 15:18–16:4a).

Application

Take time this week to evaluate where your peace is ultimately grounded.
Discuss with your small group how you can extend peace to others, particularly the ministry of reconciliation.
Take time this week to read 1 Timothy 2:1–7 and Romans 12:9–21. Takes steps to be pray for your leaders, in particular for their salvation. In doing so we may lead peaceful and quiet lives, godly and dignified in every way. In addition, when we are wronged by others do not be too quick to retaliate. Do not overcome evil by evil, but overcome evil with good.

A Few Words on “Peace”

As with love and joy, peace [eirēnē] is a matter for the community. This does not mean that the individual in that community will not have peace; certainly the individuals in a community must have peace if the community as a whole is to have peace. For Paul peace typically means “reconciliation or right relationship with God (Rom 5:1; compare Eph 6:15), with one another (Rom 14:19; Eph 2:14–15; 4:3; Col 3:15; 1 Thess 5:13), and even with outsiders (Rom 12:18; 1 Cor 7:15; perhaps 2 Thess 3:16).”3 Peace is also used to describe God (“God of peace;” see 1 Thess 5:23; 2 Thess 3:16; 1 Cor 14:33; 2 Cor 13:11; Rom 15:33; 16:20; Phil 4:9). As the people of God we are to walk in the likeness of him. So we are to be people of peace (Matt 5:9, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”).4

Further Study

For more on peace and the message of reconciliation (the gospel) you could read:

Romans. This is Paul’s most lengthy and detailed letter about the gospel. This theme is expressed in the “preface” to the letter (1:16–17).
Gregory D. Gilbert, What Is the Gospel? (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2010).