Peace

Peace

 

Peace is elusive at times. Our current times are not exactly peace promoting!

I can confidently state what peace is not.

Peace is not unemployment and uncertainty.

Peace is not fear that seemingly healthy strangers will make you sick.

Peace is not mixed signals from government and irresponsible media.

Peace does have a few definitions – it can mean a treaty or truce between warring factions or a personal state of tranquility or quiet.

Continuing in Colossians we find these wise words - Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful (3:15).

The use of the word “Let” to start off this verse seems to tell me that we have control over the carrying out of this verse. It’s something we allow or choose to do.

“Peace of Christ” is a particular peace. One that only Jesus provides. Through faith in Christ we have peace with God. Having paid the price for our sins and taking upon Himself the wrath of God, we have a truce with God, the Father.

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, (Romans 5:1)

…And through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross, (Colossians 1:20a)

This peace, this new standing before our Creator and Father, results in our rest and security.

The steadfast in mind You will keep in perfect peace, because he trusts in You (Isaiah 26:3).

Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you (John 14:27).

So the “peace of Christ” covers our relationship with God and the state our minds should be in because of that relationship and change in status.

The word “rule” is literally “umpire”. This peace of Christ – our relationship with God and the resulting state of our minds - needs to be the umpire of our hearts. The term “heart” encompasses who we are - our intellect or mind.

We cultivate this state of mind by reading, studying, and meditating on the Scriptures. This makes our “umpire” strong.

So when all those worries and doubts and fears charge in, our “umpire” blows the whistle and calls foul and restores fair play.

“To which indeed you were called to one body” because of that “peace of Christ” giving us peace with God and peace within ourselves – we will naturally have peace with others – okay, we have to practice that part too.

If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men (Romans 12:18).

So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another (Romans 14:19).

Notice these are commands and things we actively do.

Obviously, this promotes unity within the church – the “one body”, and also makes us a blessing to those around us.

Paul, then wraps a bow around it all by adding “and be thankful.”

Someone could probably write thousands of blog posts about thankfulness – someone probably already has!

You tell me what improves your mood – griping, worry, complaining, anger, depression or gratitude?

Even during these bizarre times, I bet you have a myriad of things for which to be thankful.

So how do we practice?

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-8).

Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you (1 Peter 5:6-7)

What will this look like?

O Lord, my heart is not proud, nor my eyes haughty; nor do I involve myself in great matters, or in things too difficult for me.

Surely I have composed and quieted my soul; like a weaned child rests against his mother, my soul is like a weaned child within me (Psalm 131:1-2).

Let His peace rule, friends.

 

 

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/peace

MacArthur, James. The MacArthur New Testament Commentary Colossians & Philemon. Chicago, Moody Publishers, 1992.








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