Bible Society of South Africa
Xanthe Hancox

Fruit of the Spirit – Day 18

Fruit of the Spirit 3: Peace

Se(di)ngolwa (t)sa Bibele

BAGALATA 5

22Empa se bewang ke Moya ke lerato, thabo, kgotso, mamello, mosa, molemo, botshepehi, 23bonolo le boitshwaro. Tse kang tsena, ha ho molao o ka di thibelang.

BAGALATA 5:22-23SSO89SOBula ka mmadi wa Bibele

JOHANNE 14

27Ke le siela kgotso, ke le fa kgotso ya ka; ha ke le fe kamoo lefatshe le fanang kateng. Pelo tsa lona di se ferekane, leha e le ho ba boi.

JOHANNE 14:27SSO89SOBula ka mmadi wa Bibele

Have you ever had an argument with someone that went on and on, until eventually you both decide not to fight anymore, even though you still disagree? And even after you agree to disagree, the whole argument flares up again with all the old animosity, even worse than before.

True peace is not simply avoiding conflict. Just as joy is not the absence of hardship, peace is not the absence of conflict, but the presence of God no matter what the conflict. True peace is a wholeness, a completeness, a oneness with God that is only found at the foot of the cross. Jesus is described as the Prince of Peace, who, as we read in John 14, brings peace to the hearts of those who desire it.

Peace is the result of a relationship with God. Peace is a tranquillity, a state of rest that comes from seeking after God. Peace is the opposite of chaos. True peace is a calm assurance coupled with a quiet joy that God has your life under control and that he is continuously working to accomplish his purpose. God knows your unfulfilled desires, your broken dreams, your disappointments and your defeats. He can bring about peace in your life in the midst of these challenges and he longs to do that for you, today.

After we have obtained peace with God through accepting Jesus’ sacrifice, we can experience the peace of God. We need this peace when we are going through troubling and uncertain times or when we are unsure of what to do in situations – we need it daily. It is given to us whenever we need it, as long as we keep our focus on God.

Bible Society of South Africav.4.26.9
RE FUMANE HO