Devotion: Galatians 5:22

Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness…

Over the past year many of the devotions I have written have included this verse. We have looked at each virtue separately, depending upon the theme for that month. And today we look at it again, this time focusing on peace.

All of the virtues collectively are called the fruit of the Spirit. They are not fruits, plural. Together they are one fruit. And that fruit comes from and through the Holy Spirit. This fruit is produced naturally in believers who make the effort to stay connected to their faith and grow through His grace. These qualities also reflect God’s character. And they cannot be produced individually on their own. Anything that we produce on our own is nothing compared to that which the Spirit gives. Jesus told us He does not give as the world gives (John 14:27). What He gives is so much more, so much better, more valuable than anything we can imagine or experience.

The Greek word used for peace is once again eirene which we have learned about numerous times. The peace we experience within the fruit of the Spirit is more than just an absence of conflict or trouble. It is a completeness, wholeness, and well-being with God and others. This peace is a calm assurance that remains steady during life’s challenges because we know Who we rely on and Who is faithful to bring us through those challenges.

One author put it this way: “When a person is dominated by eirene (“peace”), he has a calm, inner stability that results in the ability to conduct himself peacefully, even in the midst of circumstances that would normally be very nerve-racking, traumatic, or upsetting.” (https://renner.org/article/joy-and-peace/)

Isn’t that comforting? We can go about our business knowing that God’s peace rules in our lives. As long as we remain in Him, we can be filled with His fruit of peace. It doesn’t matter how chaotic life may get, His peace will dominate as long as we remember to seek Him.

Today let’s walk into our day filled with peace. Ask God to bless you with the fruit of peace in every situation and circumstance you encounter today. And don’t forget to thank Him for being the peace in the midst of uncertainty and chaos.

Prayer: Lord, Fill me with Your peace today. Let it flow over and around me, through me and out onto others as I walk through the day. Use me to instill peace into others, as well. Amen

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