THE WORD: Peace enables other virtues

“Baptism of Christ” (cir. 1475) is a painting from the studio of Italian Renaissance painter Andrea del Verrocchio with credit for the work generally given to Verrocchio and and his pupil Leonardo da Vinci. Uffizi Gallery, Florence, Italy (Public Domain)

Peace, the third Fruit of the Spirit, can have many meanings. For some, peace means the absence of quarrels, wars or commotion.  Peace can also exist in times of unrest — an inward peace that is unaffected by outward circumstances. The peace offered through believing in Jesus enables us to practice the other listed characteristics of the Fruit of the Spirit.

The dove appears in Christianity as a symbol of the Holy Spirit and is a nearly universal symbol of peace. The Holy Spirit was described in the form of a dove in all of the Gospels. After Jesus was baptized, the Spirit of God descended like a dove. After the flood, the dove came to Noah symbolizing the end of the tumult of the flood.

Advertisements

PHILIPPIANS 4:6-7

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.