You Can Know You Have Eternal Life
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671 – Man's Search for Inner Peace (85)
Honorable Citizenship in Jesus’ Kingdom (7)
by Jim Mettenbrink

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     The apostle Paul wrote an encyclical to the congregations of Galatia (in the Roman province) which had fallen from grace (Galatians 5:4), tragically losing their fellowship with God and potentially their eternity in heaven.  Their failing was adding the Old Testament to the New Testament (Galatians 1:6, 7; 5:1-3).  Additionally, he gave a list of don'ts and dos essential for a Christian to be a faithful citizen of the kingdom.  First he listed sins common to people which would keep them out of heaven (Galatians 5:19-21).  Then he presented the fruit of the Spirit consisting of nine qualities (Galatians 5:22-23).  We have considered the first two in the list - love (agape) and joy.  The third is peace.

     The film "Outlaw Josey Wales," begins at the end of the Civil War with the rounding up of the confederate soldiers.  The senator propounded, "We have won the war, now we must win the peace."  They disarmed the soldiers, fed them, and then shot them.  When war ends, it is called peace.  This is not the peace accorded as fruit of the Spirit.

     Indeed, Jesus rose from the dead, defeating the enemy of death (1 Corinthians 15:20-28).  He won the war!  He is the victor.  His victory was two fold.  He paid the penalty of our sins by dying on the cross (1 John 2:2), and He rose from the grave conquering death.  Thus there is life after death.  But that was not peace.  He made a way for peace between God and sinner, thus giving one who becomes a Christian the victory (1 Corinthians 15:56-57).

     Wars are ended with treaties, dictating the victor's terms.  It is called peace because there is no fighting.  Mankind calls it peace.  This is not the peace set forth in the Bible as an aspect of fruit of the Spirit.  The moment the Word was born into the flesh the angels announced, "
Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!" (Luke 2:14; John 1:1).  God send Jesus to make a way of peace between God and man.

     Peace is not only the absence of hostility, but harmony and fellowship (partnership) between the Christian and God (1 Corinthians 1:9; 1 John 1:3).  Many claim this peace with God, but not with their fellow man.  Selfishness must be conquered for peace to prevail.  True peace requires Christlike selflessness (1 Corinthians 11:1).  This peace is the harmony, a partnership, between not only God and citizen of God's kingdom but among citizens in Jesus kingdom (Christians) (1 John 1:7).  This is the essence of peace which is the fruit of the Spirit.

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      © Jim Mettenbrink; used by permission. rev.151027
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