If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. (Romans 12:18, NASB)
The Bible tells us to “pray for the peace of Jerusalem.” (Psalm 122:6) Indeed we should. This is God’s Town. This is the site where God chose for King Solomon to build His Temple, His dwelling place among His people, Israel. We’re also called to seek justice and peace wherever and however we can.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another. (Galatians 5:22-26, NASB)
In his letter to the Galatian church, the Apostle Paul speaks of the “fruit of the Spirit.” At a Bible study years ago, someone pointed out that it’s not the “fruits” of the Spirit, but rather the singular, “fruit” of the Spirit. This means that the Jesus-follower is to display ALL the traits listed, not just some. I can’t practice patience and kindness and yet hold back love and joy. I have to practice the whole package.
The text above is part of a discussion on walking “in the Spirit.” I think to walk in the Spirit means that I not forget that I’m carrying the Holy Spirit with me everywhere I go. My body is the Tabernacle of a member of the Holy Trinity, and I should act accordingly so as not to defile this Temple. But Paul says if we walk in the Spirit, then we “will not carry out the desire of the flesh.” He explains that the flesh is at war with the Spirit. Paul lists the “deeds of the flesh”: “immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these.” He warns us that “those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
On the other hand, Paul contrasts the deeds of the flesh with the fruit of the Spirit: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, [and ] self-control.” He further explains that people who’ve decided to follow Jesus have “crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” In other words, they have put all the deeds of the flesh in the past. There is no turning back. When we say we walk in the Spirit, we must walk the talk. One final warning from Paul: “Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another.” More deeds of the flesh!
Walking in the Spirit, practicing and displaying the fruit of the Spirit, is one way people will know we have Jesus. We have to put the deeds of the flesh in the past. By these, followers of Jesus will demonstrate to Whom we belong (Remember: It’s not who you are, but Whose you are!)!
In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.” When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.” (Luke 2:8-15, NASB)
The night of our Savior’s birth, there were some shepherds on the outskirts of Bethlehem who were tending their flocks. This night was just like any other. Until . . . The monotony of their watch was broken by a heavenly visitor. The angel came bearing good news of the birth of Jesus, the long-awaited Savior. A choir of angels appeared singing “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.” The shepherds decided to leave their flocks and go straight into Bethlehem to see the Baby that God had revealed to them!
“Announcement to the Shepherds,” by Abraham Bloemaert, c. 1600. Found at Wikipedia, en.wikipedia.org
Worship: “Bethlehem Morning,” by Sandi Patty
We always hear the proclamation by the heavenly host of “peace on earth.” Sometimes it’s expanded to “peace on earth, good will toward men.” But there’s more. The text from Dr. Luke says, “on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.” It appears there’s a caveat to “peace on earth.” I had never noticed this until a Bible study several years ago when the leader pointed this out. God promises peace to those “with whom He is pleased.” And who would that be? Those who have accepted God’s most precious gift, His Son, Jesus Christ.
God sent His Son to the earth on that first Christmas to make a way for us to be reconciled with God. It was a way for Him to make peace with us. A Bible study I did recently explained it well: “When we consider Jesus as the Prince of Peace, we are reminded that we serve a God of peace, who came to bring ultimate peace to the world. That was His mission and ministry, and without Him, there is no peace. Jesus came not to bring peace to the world as in the absence of war, but peace between God and man who were separated by sin. He died to reconcile sinners to a holy God. We thank God for His goodness in bringing us ultimate peace and rest in Christ.” (from “Names of Jesus for Advent,” by the Bible Society of Australia, at bible.com, or You Version app)
Jesus is known as the Prince of Peace. One of the names of God that helps us understand His character is Jehovah Shalom, or “God is Our Peace.” God could have mandated peace upon all of His creation. But He made us humans with free will. It’s up to us whether or not we will have peace with God. The Way to peace is through the Son, Jesus.
There are probably many definitions of “peace.” To me, I think of complete rest. You can’t have complete rest without peace.
From an old bumper sticker: “No Jesus, no peace. Know Jesus, know peace.” Sometimes there’s great wisdom on a bumper sticker!
The words of the Prince of Peace: Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful. (John 14: 27)
“Stille Nacht,” by F. Gruber, performed by Mannheim Steamroller Christmas 2020
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)
Image from Kyiv. Victor, Daniel. “How do You Pronounce ‘Kyiv’?” From The New York Times, 25 January 2022. Found at https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/25/world/europe/kyiv-pronunciation.html
“Fruit of the Spirit.” Found at Do Not Depart, 
“Announcement to the Shepherds,” by Abraham Bloemaert, c. 1600. Found at Wikipedia, 