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 ESV)
The Fruit of the Spirit: Peace
Imitations are not generally as good as the original. Whether it is Diet Coke (imitated by Walmart); Milwaukee Power Drills (imitated by Kmart); Smart Phones (imitated by somebody); or bacon (imitated by turkey famers); the imitations are not the same.
Jesus gives His people peace. Notice He does not say merely that He gives us the opportunity to find peace if we search in the right manner. He says He leaves it for us, and he gives it to us.
So why do we so often not feel peace?
Sometimes it is because our pride blocks peace. We want to be the ones fixing things, rather than childlike, trusting that Jesus has things in hand.
Sometimes it is because we are not listening to Him. So many fake peace opportunities bombard our ears and hearts, that we ignore Christ’s peace. So we think peace is found through financial security, or family, or organizations, or education. All useful things, but not peace. Peace comes from Jesus.
Sometimes it is because we doubt His declarations. In this case, it is not that we do not have peace, but we do not believe it IS peace. We think it is foolishness, perhaps. We think it is laziness, perhaps. We think it is blind to reality, perhaps. But Jesus’ peace IS peace.
So how can we better grasp Christ’s peace, the peace that He left for us, the peace that He gave us? Two ways. First, more reading of His Word, the Bible. His Word can convince is that His peace is real. However much we read, or watch, or listen to other things… read the Bible more. Second, more prayer. Express your desire to KNOW the peace that He has given us. Let our Words of humility to Him convince us.
Peace, as a fruit of the Spirit, seems almost too easy, so we do not embrace.
But He has given it to His people. It is not a result of trying harder, or believing more, or getting more mature in faith.
He has given it. We have it.
Because peace is a fruit.