Thursday, 23 November 2017

Fruit of the Spirit - Peace

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The third fruit of the spirit is peace. Many of you already know where I'm going with this. (At least I'm consistent.) Peace (shalom) is a fruit of the spirit. It is not an absence of conflict, nor a refusal to fight. Then what is it, you ask? So pushy, just wait until tomorrow (when the fruit is "longsuffering").

Today, shalom is complete wholeness, lacking nothing. I would even go so far as to say, "Perfection". It is, in fact, a code word for the very presence of God. It is even called a mystery regarding the non-Jewish followers of Yeshua's ways ... Colossians 1:27b "Messiah in you, the hope of glory!"

Wait for it. Wait for it. Ahhhhhhhhhhh! Shalom is a fruit. I just did a quick search for the phrase, "No fruit before its time." I got Malachi 3:11 where God promises to rebuke the devourers for our sake. What does the devourer devour? Fruit!

Don't let the enemy steal your shalom. (Written to me, for me, you just get to read it, but I own it. Okay, you can own it too, if you like.) John 10:9 provides a picture of shalom.

John 10:9-10 "I am the gate! If anyone comes in through Me, he will be saved. He will come and go and find pasture. (what a picture of shalom) The thief comes only to steal, slaughter, and destroy. (this includes ruining fruit) I have come that they might have life, and have it abundantly!"

Here's a toast to the abundant life. Shalom.