GodReflection: Power Words

So I say, walk by the Spirit—the fruit of the Spirit is peace—Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. – Galatians 5

In addition to the lack of wide orderly aisles, my local hardware store has a dead giveaway it’s not a box store or a chain. It’s the dog.

To approach one of the cluttered aisles I step around their utterly still and often sleeping old dog. His name has to be “Blue”—although I’ve never asked. His pedigree is of the Hines 57 variety.

Some would say Blue is in a state of complete peace. I’ve not seen him move a muscle. He has to be alive as his resting spots rotate around the store.

I have a tendency to envy the old dog.

He is at peace.

Or is he?

Peace is not a feeling. It’s a reality to live out.

Peace is working with God to re-instate harmony.

Each time Scripture mentions peace its source is from God, Jesus, or the Holy Spirit. It is a gift.

Peace is never my creation it is a reflection of God.

When I think of peace, I remember the plot of God’s story. It is the account of the disruption of perfect peace and the restoration in God’s timing to regain peace for all eternity.

A synonym might increase clarity. I like to think of the gift in terms of harmony. God is about the restoration of harmony.

One way to understand God’s gift of peace is harmony.

As I scan Scripture, I see the gift of peace (harmony) empowers me to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace (harmony). I see that God is not a God of disorder but of peace (harmony). I learn the message God announced to Israel was the good news of peace (harmony) through Jesus Christ.

I read of a God who—through Jesus—reconciles to Himself all things in heaven and on earth by creating peace (harmony) through his blood, shed on the cross.

I see Christ followers encourage to let the peace (harmony) of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body God called us to peace (harmony).

Jesus called peacemakers, (creators of harmony) blessed because they are now children of God.

I understand I am to live in peace (harmony) with other children of God. I am to seek peace (harmony) and pursue it. I am to pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace (harmony), along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

I cannot do any of the above from my power.

I can do so only by the power of the gift from the Spirit. I can do so only if I walk by the Spirit. It is then that peace (harmony) appears as a fruit of the Spirit in my life. To live by the Spirit, I must walk in step with the Spirit.

I have the privilege to partner with—and be empowered by—the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, as together we proceed to restore peace to life as it once was.

By my walk with the Spirit, God presents me with holy harmony (peace) to distribute along the path of my walk on earth.

It is in this context that peace emerges as a power word.

Stay tuned.

Dr. Gary J. Sorrells – A GodReflection on Peace as a Power Word.

Gary@GodReflection.org