Study #46: LAMED
LAMED: THE GOAD OF DISCIPLESHIP: ( PART 7 )
THE 5 BLESSINGS OF THE ONE NEWMAN IN CHRIST ( PART 7)
THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT: PEACE
Paul usually greeted his Gentile and Jewish audience with two words: GRACE and PEACE.
GRACE ( CHARIS ) was a Greek greeting. PEACE ( SHALOM ) was JEWISH.
Thus the greeting “GRACE to you and PEACE” was all inclusive and unifying: “You are all one in Christ Jesus” ( Galatians 3:28 ).
But on a deeper level, the Hebrew meaning of PEACE is more pro-active than its English meaning which usually is defined as ” an absence of war or conflict”. In Hebrew, SHALOM is an offensive PEACE – for our God of Peace will come against and rebuke the devourer for our sake!
Thus the Bible tells us to fear not and to ” seek peace and pursue it ” (1 Peter 3:11 ) in 3 mains areas:
- PEACE with God.
The two great gifts of God – forgiveness and the Holy Spirit – result in freedom from guilt and joy in God’s renewed relationship. Thus we enjoy “righteousness and peace and joy” ( Romans 14:17 ). They lead to the greatest gift of all – the hope of eternal life ( Romans 6:23 ) which takes away the “fear of death” ( Titus 1:2; Hebrews 2:15 ). No other comfort can be better this!
- PEACE with others.
The fear of Man and unforeseen circumstances are snares. But when we think about it, it is not other people or circumstances that determine our emotions or mood; it is our attitude about them. “Whoever has no rule over his own spirit is like a city broken down, without walls ” ( Proverbs 25:28 ).
One way to “seek PEACE and pursue it” ( 1 Peter 3:11 ) is to read the promises of the Bible ( Colossians 3:15-16 ) and see it through prayer to the very ” God of PEACE ” ( Hebrews 13:20 ).
To experience PEACE then is take responsibility for your thoughts ( Philippians 4:8 ). With God’s help we can quit reacting with anger or self- pity in our daily encounters with people we meet.
- PEACE within ourselves.
Replace fear with faith – a childlike trust in our Abba Father. For ” You will keep him in perfect PEACE, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You” ( Isaiah 26:3 ).
Abba Father, we honour You for giving us grace and, as a result, Peace. Thus we pray for peaceful relationships with You and others and for peace of mind for ourselves – and finally for Your peaceful Kingdom to come soon!