Oct 25
8:27 AM
Finding the Missing Peace
Oct 25
8:27 AM
Oct 25
8:27 AM
Monday, October 25, 2021
Galatians 5:22c
We have been talking about how to live with an attitude, a biblical attitude. The way you live with a biblical attitude is you live with nine different attitudes which are expressed in the nine fruit of the Holy Spirit, provided for us in Galatians 5:22-23. Living with an attitude is choosing to live for the Holy Spirit, not for your old person. That's the nuclear war that we face every day of our lives - are we going to live for our new life in the Holy Spirit? Or are we going to live our whole life for ourself? The way we know that is when we live out the nine fruit of the Spirit.
So far, we talked about the first two fruit of the Spirit, love and joy. Today, I want to talk to you about the third fruit of the Spirit, and that's found in Galatians 5:22c, "The fruit of the Spirit is... peace." So today, I want to talk to you about finding your missing peace. Peace never comes from being in the right environment alone. Peace never comes through you trying to manufacture it. Peace never comes from anybody but God. In fact, when the Bible says a church has unity, the Bible never says the church should make unity. The Bible says the church should keep unity. It says in Ephesians 4:3, "Keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." The bond of peace is also from God. Peace is a gift of God. Jesus said in John 14:27, "I am leaving you with a gift - peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give isn't fragile, like the world gives. So don't be troubled or afraid." The world's peace is, "Yes, congratulations! These two nations at war have signed a peace treaty!" And how long does that last? Not very long. God's peace isn't like that. He gives you the peace that will protect your life. One of the classic passages is in Philippians 4:6-7 where the Apostle Paul says, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, through prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, give your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your heart and your mind in Christ Jesus." You'll never understand the peace of God, and you don't have to. It will guard your heart and your mind in Christ Jesus, it will protect you. That's the kind of peace God gives.
A lot of people are looking for peace in so many ways. They're looking for peace in yoga, getting in touch with their inner chi, and all this stuff. I know some people who do yoga, and I just humbly suggest to you that if you're doing the exercise part, okay, but anything beyond that is Eastern religion. Be very, very careful. You're never going to find peace in that, you're not going to find peace in a pill, you're not going to find peace in a relationship. That is, unless that relationship is with God through Jesus Christ. You'll never find your missing peace until it's in Jesus Christ. Have you ever put together a puzzle. And you're saying, "Where's this last piece? Where did it go?" And then you find it. "There it is! It was in the couch. The dog put it in the couch, it's in the cushion. Or, there it is, it's in the box. Or, there it is under the tablecloth, etc." So, you find that missing piece. It feels so good, doesn't it, to have put that whole thing together? Jesus Christ is your missing peace. If you can't find peace in your life, then you need to find Jesus Christ because he is, as the Bible calls him, the Prince of Peace. What does that mean? He is the peace-iest, peace provider you've ever heard of. Jesus Christ offers you a peace that you'll never find anywhere else.
So if you're a Christian, turn to Jesus Christ and pray through Philippians 4:6-7. I cited that earlier. Read it, read it to God, read it phrase by phrase and offer a prayer to God, saying, "give me this piece." If you've never committed your life to Jesus Christ, say, "Jesus Christ, I need you in my life. You're God, I'm a sinner. You died on the cross, you rose again. I believe that and I receive it by faith alone in my life." Then, you'll experience that peace. Father, I pray for all the people listening. I'm not sure what trouble or things are going on in their life, but I pray that you will give them a piece that only you can provide. Fill their heart with the missing peace they long for. But only do it through your Son, Jesus Christ, because he's the only one who can provide it. Help us all live not only with a peace inside, but live at peace with other people as far as it depends on us. We ask this in Jesus' name, amen.