Everywhere we look, there is conflict of one sort or another. And one of the major hopes of most people is peace – personal peace and world peace. Yet peace seems to be so elusive. How do you get peace? Going to talk about that today.
We used to sing a chorus that said, “It only takes a spark to get a fire going.” Well, that song emphasized the fact that change can begin with one person. So if we want to achieve world peace then we must first of all discover personal peace. Now, I’ve got good news for you in that regard. Personal peace is available to every person on earth who has received Christ as their Savior. Then that person’s life is influenced by the Spirit of God.
In Galatians 5:22-23 we are told of the kinds of things the Holy Spirit produces in the life of a Christian: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace…” One of the things the Holy Spirit produces in our lives is peace.
The word “peace” is a Greek word that carries the ideas of harmony and tranquility – a sense of personal welfare and inner quietness. Strong’s Concordance suggests that it comes from a primary verb that means “to join.” In other words, things are joined together. They are in harmony with each other. They are at peace.
So the Holy Spirit first of all joins us to God, and we are at peace with Him. Then the Holy Spirit helps us to understand the nature of our circumstances, so that we are at peace with life. Finally, He works in our hearts to resolve interpersonal conflicts so that we are at peace with other people. Now that sounds pretty good, doesn’t it?! But the important thing is, that you have to let the Holy Spirit control your life. Only He can give you that kind of peace – The fruit of the Spirit is peace.
Now you know the real meaning of the word.
It’s really quite simple. Peace is something you can have for the asking. You don’t even need to get out your checkbook!