Taking the fruit of the Spirit one step farther we hear Isaiah the Prophet speaking of a day when God’s rule of righteousness on the earth will bring “peace…quietness and assurance forever” 32:17. While this verse of Scripture is applied to the millennial reign of Christ and the eternal kingdom, it actually began as a spiritual kingdom announced by angels to shepherds on the night of Christ’s birth, saying “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace good will toward men” Luke 2:14. An Old Testament representation of Jesus is “Melchizedek king of Salem” who blessed Abraham in Genesis 14:18-19, and Hebrews 7:2 tells us that he was “king of righteousness” and “king of peace.” What a fitting representation of Jesus the righteous one and the peace giver; 1 Corinthians 1:30 points to Him as our righteousness from God. Romans 14:17 tells us that the kingdom of God is not established in external rituals but is “righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” And God’s desire is expressed through the Apostle in Romans 15:13 that we be filled “with all joy and peace in believing”. This fruit is the result, or perhaps we could say a byproduct, of the Holy Spirit living within us; however we can nullify it if we take our eyes off Jesus and begin focusing on the circumstances and conditions around us, as Peter did in Matthew 14:30! In bequeathing His peace to the disciples Jesus said “Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” John 14:27. Indicating that this peace can be overcome with things around us if we focus on them rather than on Him! Then Colossians 3:15 says “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts to which you were called in one body…” Again indicating that we must position ourselves to allow the Holy Spirit to produce this fruit in and through us! Let us “…Seek peace and pursue it” Psalm 34:14.
Righteousness and Peace
By Rose Hill
If in the way of righteousness we walk,
And the Holy Spirit controls our talk.
Then in Christ’s peace we will live,
And hope for tomorrow He will give.
Scripture quotations are from the New King James Version copyright …1982 by Thomas Nelson Co. used by permission.
Taking the fruit of the Spirit one step farther we hear Isaiah the Prophet speaking of a day when God’s rule of righteousness on the earth will bring “peace…quietness and assurance forever” 32:17. While this verse of Scripture is applied to the millennial reign of Christ and the eternal kingdom, it actually began as a spiritual kingdom announced by angels to shepherds on the night of Christ’s birth, saying “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace good will toward men” Luke 2:14. An Old Testament representation of Jesus is “Melchizedek king of Salem” who blessed Abraham in Genesis 14:18-19, and Hebrews 7:2 tells us that he was “king of righteousness” and “king of peace.” What a fitting representation of Jesus the righteous one and the peace giver; 1 Corinthians 1:30 points to Him as our righteousness from God. Romans 14:17 tells us that the kingdom of God is not established in external rituals but is “righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” And God’s desire is expressed through the Apostle in Romans 15:13 that we be filled “with all joy and peace in believing”. This fruit is the result, or perhaps we could say a byproduct, of the Holy Spirit living within us; however we can nullify it if we take our eyes off Jesus and begin focusing on the circumstances and conditions around us, as Peter did in Matthew 14:30! In bequeathing His peace to the disciples Jesus said “Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” John 14:27. Indicating that this peace can be overcome with things around us if we focus on them rather than on Him! Then Colossians 3:15 says “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts to which you were called in one body…” Again indicating that we must position ourselves to allow the Holy Spirit to produce this fruit in and through us! Let us “…Seek peace and pursue it” Psalm 34:14.
Righteousness and Peace
By Rose Hill
If in the way of righteousness we walk,
And the Holy Spirit controls our talk.
Then in Christ’s peace we will live,
And hope for tomorrow He will give.
Scripture quotations are from the New King James Version copyright …1982 by Thomas Nelson Co. used by permission.