The Fruit Of The Spirit
By Sandy Simpson

Lesson 1 - Love
Lesson 2 - Joy
Lesson 3 - Peace
Lesson 4 - Patience
Lesson 5 - Kindness
Lesson 6 - Goodness
Lesson 7 - Faithfulness
Lesson 8 - Gentleness
Lesson 9 - Self-control

LESSON 3 - PEACE

Biblical Examples Of Peace

1 Chr. 22:9   But you will have a son who will be a man of peace and rest, and I will give him rest from all his enemies on every side. His name will be Solomon, and I will grant Israel peace and quiet during his reign.

Solomon was the man of peace after the bloody time of King David.  David was a great man of God and did the Lord's will in putting down the enemies of the people of God such as the Philistines.  Since David was obedient to God, and repented when he sinned, God promised David that his son, Solomon, would have peace and rest from all the enemies of Israel.  Solomon was probably the richest king who ever lived.  He was the wisest also because he was obedient to the Lord in asking not for riches but for wisdom to govern the people of Israel righteously.  Because of the peace of Solomon Israel became the greatest kingdom on earth during that time.  Kings and queens came from all over the world to see Solomon, and get his advice and counsel.  Solomon's writing were inspired by God, writings such as Proverbs, Song of Solomon, Ecclesiastes.  Proverbs is probably the most valuable book of virtues and precepts for moral living. 

When we walk in peace, God will bless us with wisdom.  Many blessings come from peace.  Of course we know that Solomon sinned in his later years and God took away the peace of the reign of Solomon in short reign of his son, Rehoboam.  So if we do not live in peace, God can also take his blessings away.  As Christians we are to be equipped to spread the gospel of peace.

Eph. 6:13-18   Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled round your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

We are also to be subject to authorities in society and in the church, with our highest authority being the Lord.  We should always endeavor to live peaceably and be considerate to all people.

Titus 3:1-2  Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no-one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility towards all