February 18, 2016
We had an emergency with someone in our class 2 weeks ago, so we had no class. I am sorry if you came looking for the weeks' lesson and it was not there ! This week we started looking at the spiritual fruit of Peace. As you might have guessed by now, Peace does not mean ONLY the absence of conflict. It can mean that but can also mean an inner peace. Today we are going to take a look at 5 versus that will show how God sees Peace.
" I form the light and create darkness, I make peace and create calamity; I, the Lord, do all these things. " Isaiah 45 : 7
In this style of writing we see the use of opposites to prove a point. Also the author repeats it which shows the importance of his point. Here we see that the Lord says he creates light and peace. Who does scripture say that light and peace is ? [ hint ; Light of the world and Prince of Peace ] Jesus !!Likewise who does scripture say is calamity and darkness ? Satan . So, in this verse we can see that Peace is how Jesus is referred to. And He will be the one to make Peace with God for the believers !!!
" If it is possible, as much on you, live peaceably with all men. " Romans 12: 18
There is a difference between peace and lack of conflict ! Lack of conflict means you get trampled on !! Peace means that you do all you can to co-exist with your fellow man while each of you also honor the others limits. That is why this verse says as much as you can... because peace relies not only on your actions but also on those of other people.
" Better is a dry morsel with quietness, than a houseful of feasting with strife. " Proverbs 17 : 1
My translation : Better to be poor and peaceful than rich and constant strife. Any one who has been wealthy and been poor will all tell you the same thing. Poor is better but rich makes it temporarily better. Why ? Because the constant need to achieve and to protect what you have takes all of your time and effort. That means there is no time left for family, friends, or for God. Poor is not easy and can provide it's own issues. However when you learn to let go and give it all to God, that is when Peace is achieved.
" Do not take me away with the wicked and with the workers of inequity, who speak peace to their neighbors, but evil is in their hearts. " Psalm 28 : 3
In this Psalm of David, he is asking God to not count him with the evil doers or to carry him away with them. Earlier we saw the use of opposites to prove a point, here we see the use of compare and contrast to prove a point. How many people do you know that are nice to your face and stab you in the back the first chance they get ??!! Well, based on this verse these people are wicked and evil doers ! The fruit of Peace shows that a person is the same on the inside as on the outside. Satan has a fake gift that shows that the rest of the world can see one person and he can be a different person with other people !!! God calls that evil !!!
" Now may the God of Peace Himself sanctify you completely ; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. " 1 Thessalonians 5 : 23
As the Old Testament showed earlier, and again here, Jesus is the Lord of Peace. Here we see that the whole process of sanctification can only be done by the power of Jesus. So now we see that Peace is not the absence of conflict, but is the way of Jesus and the only way to sanctification. Since none of this can be done on man's own power, that is why we must receive this as a gift from God !!!
That wraps up this weeks study of Peace. Please join us again next week as we conclude our look at Peace. If you would like to know more about us and what we do.... you can find us at www.prayerboxministry.org.
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