Abundant Living

P e a c e : T h e F r u i t o f T r u s t
95
There are times when we are confused as to the direction
we should take. But there comes a moment of perfect calm
and clarity. This is evidence of the peace of the Holy Spirit
giving assurance that we are making the right decisions. This
marvelous peace is our safeguard. As we focus our thoughts on
Him, the God of peace, we will know the peace of God. “Thou
wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee”
(Isaiah 26:3, KJV).
Peace With Men
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace
with everyone” (Romans 12:18). The peace that the Holy Spirit
gives is first of all directed upward, toward God; then inward,
toward ourselves; and finally outward, toward our fellowman.
We need to “seek peace and pursue it” (1 Peter 3:11). Two
verbs, seek and pursue, are used in this verse, one reinforcing
the other. This indicates that we have a part in following closely
after peace.
Peace with others may require understanding or willingness
to change on your part where there are personal differences.
Often, the situation or circumstances may not lead to peaceful
relations when someone always insists on having his own way.
Mature Christians learn to respect and accept the differences
of other people, especially others in the body of Christ.
Ephesians 4:3–4 emphasizes this: “Make every effort to keep
the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one
body and one Spirit.”
A bond is a knot, a tie, a chain, a fusing together. We cannot
do what we want, without regard for the other members of the
body of Christ. Paul teaches, “Each of you should look not
only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others”
(Philippians 2:4). “Nobody should seek his own good, but the
good of others” (1 Corinthians 10:24). The Christian who says
what he wills, goes where he wills, behaves as he wills, without
considering his high calling and the members of Christ’s body,
will never find peace, because he is disturbing the unity of
Christ’s body. “Now the body is not made up of one part but of