Stand Firm in Your Freedom - Pastor James

The Fruit of the Spirit of Peace

Galatians 5:22-23

Matthew 10:34-36 (NIV)

Luke 12:51-53 (NIV)

Peace with God

a. God is called the God of peace. (Romans 16:20; 1 Corinthians 14:33; 2 Thessalonians 3:16)

b. We have peace with God through Jesus Christ.

1) From the day of the Fall of Man, mankind has been at war with God. (Romans 5:12-14)

2) Only by accepting the good news of Jesus Christ’s victory on the cross can people make peace with God. (Romans 5:8-10; Colossians 1:21-23)

3) Peace with God is the direct result of an active faith in Jesus Christ. (Romans 5:1-2)

4) The discipline of the Lord brings a harvest of peace to a believer’s life. (Hebrews 12:11)

5) A person cannot know true inner peace unless they have a relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

Peace with Others

a. We are to be peacemakers. (Matthew 5:9; James 3:18)

b. We are to live at peace with everyone, if possible. (Romans 12:18)

1) Peace is not just passivity or a negative attitude of non-involvement.

2) Peace requires individual responsibility and effort. (Psalm 34:14; Romans 14:19; Ephesians 4:3; Hebrews 12:14)

c. The world will not live at peace with the church, nor are we to be friends with the world. (John 15:18-25; James 4:4)