In recent months I’ve heard a lot people saying, “I just want peace.” But how do you define peace? We know that peace is a fruit of the Spirit, so it is also an indicator of spiritual growth. But how do we define it?

Most people probably automatically think, “Freedom from disturbance; tranquility,” when they think of peace. But is that what peace as a fruit of the Spirit means? If we possess the peace of God, will we be free from disturbance and live completely tranquil lives? I don’t think so. In fact, I believe Scripture teaches us something very different. From what I read in Scripture, peace is not the absence of conflict; it’s living in the presence of God in a restored relationship with him through Jesus Christ.

With this definition in mind, I’d like for us to focus on two realities of peace.

We Live Peace

Peace is not just some subjective feeling. Peace is an objective reality for those who are in Christ Jesus. Jesus made some very big promises concerning peace:

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)

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)

By what Jesus did for us, we are no longer at odds with God due to our sin. Instead, Jesus has restored our relationship with God by taking our sin upon him. As Paul tells us:

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. (Rom. 5:1-2, emphasis added)

We now can live in peace with God as he is no longer separated from us but now lives in us. We live peace! Instead of receiving the wrath of God, we have received the grace of God; which brings us peace, not punishment.

We Practice Peace

So our first reality is that we live peace with every breath we take. However, that reality of “peace” or “all is well” in one’s life with God doesn’t mean there will be no suffering or trials. In fact, peace is often manifested most clearly through suffering. The same Jesus who said “my peace I leave you, my peace I give you” also said:

Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a person's enemies will be those of his own household. (Matt. 10:34-39)

While Jesus brought us peace with God through a restored relationship with him, he also put us at odds with the rest of the world – even those closest to us. So, we may live peace in terms of our relationship with God, but our other reality is that we have to practice peace regularly. Why? Because it does not come naturally to us. In fact, peace is a supernatural gift and fruit of the Spirit. We must regularly practice it or, more importantly, allow the Spirit to practice it through us.

Paul teaches us about this in Phil. 4:4-13:

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Because we live in peace with God, we don’t live in anxiousness. That goes beyond understanding. While we may feel anxious about what we are going through (remember, even Jesus sweat blood), we are not anxious about the outcome. God has overcome the world through his son, and nothing in all of creation can separate us from him. That is peace!

But Paul continues:

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me – practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

Again, must practice peace, truth, honor, justice, purity, loving-kindness, righteousness, excellence. Not live them perfectly but practice them regularly. Then the God of peace will be with us!

Paul concludes:

I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. (emphasis added)

By practicing peace, we learn that we can face any and every situation. Christ’s strength will flow through us as we live his peace before the world. But be ready: God must give you the opportunity to practice peace, and the opportunity is never easy! But the practice of peace causes us to do the craziest things:

• To love each other as Jesus loved us.

• To love and pray for our enemies.

• To walk the extra mile.

• To turn the other cheek.

• To care for others more than we care for ourselves.

So, got peace (in increasing measure)? I leave you with Paul’s blessing:

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.