Tag Archives: called to peace

THREE LET’s FOR LIFE – 1

Christian Life, ,

Colossians 3:15-17 NLT
[15] “And LET the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace…”

When we look out at the world and what’ happening there, we see chaos, confusion, misery, and unhappiness as everyone, ruled by selfishness, clashes with everyone else in their world. Family members collide, communities collide, nations coliide, leaving a trail of brokenness and suffering.

Not so in God’s family!

Look what happens when we choose God’s perspective and fall in line with His thoughts and ways.

LET THE PEACE OF CHRIST

God has given us the reason and the ground rules of a new life in His family that works through love, humility, and mutual submission. His foundation is Jesus, the cornerstone of this “building” that holds everything together. He lives in us by His Spirit to make it happen.

When we play by the rules, God’s peace is the atmosphere of this family. So, not only is it His peace that monitors and referees the game of life we are in but is also the nature of the government of Jesus under which we live.

Isaiah 9:6-7 NIV
[6] “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, PRINCE OF PEACE . [7] Of the greatness of HIS GOVERNMENT AND PEACE there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.”

There it is! Jesus’ reign on earth will be a reign of eternal peace. Imagine that! He wants that for us all the time, even now in this unpredictable life.

So, we are encouraged, no, commanded to let…allow…the peace Jesus has provided for us in His salvation to govern our lives. How do we do that?

Paul said that this peace that gives us balance and enables us to stand firm in His truth, has two feet…

Ephesians 6:15 NIV
[15] “…and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.”

One foot is “peace with God” through faith in what Jesus did on the cross.

Romans 5:1-2 NIV
[1] “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have PEACE WITH GOD through our Lord Jesus Christ, [2] through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.”

This “foot” of peace with God settles the issue of our sin. God has forever dealt with our sin which is, therefore, no longer an issue as long as we keep living by His Word.

Philippians 4:6-7 NIV
[6] “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. [7] And THE PEACE OF GOD, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

The other “foot” that provides stability and balance in our day-to-day lives is the peace of God. This peace is the outcome of a stubborn, resilient, unassailable trust in God no matter what happens. This peace settles the issue of life’s uncertainties.

How can we handle every blow that comes our way? How can we deal with the anxieties that plague us because of life’s unexpected troubles? Paul says that we must trade our anxieties for His peace. We do this by maintaining a transparent relationship with God. Be honest with Him. Tell Him how you feel. I call this “spilling your guts to God.”

Your honesty will never change His attitude towards you. He knows you before you said a word. So, tell Him the truth about everything, no matter how bad you feel.

Jesus left us the legacy of His peace before He died.

John 14:27 NIV
[27] “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

Peace in our hearts spills over into peace in Christ’s body.

So, LET Jesus’s peace rule in your heart and in His family of which we are all a part.

After all it’s all about “Christ in you, the hope of glory.”

To be continued…

A SAFE PASSAGE THROUGH THIS YEAR

Bible Study, ,

A SAFE PASSAGE THROUGH THIS YEAR

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him (Col. 3: 15-17).

Another year is on its way. However, yesterday was no different from today, and today will be no different from to tomorrow. Each day stands as a unit and a clean page yet to be written, but it will become what we make of it. What appears on each page will remain, indelibly written in our book of life. Will we write a story of peace and harmony or will we blot and stain the pages of our book with words, deeds and attitudes of which we will be ashamed when our book is opened?

In this beautiful chapter of Colossians, Paul shows us how to write a personal and family history of which we will be proud if we all, as God’s children, write an interconnected story of love and peace.

Step 1: Your old self has gone. Live as though it no longer exists. Leave your baggage at the cross where Jesus destroyed it once and for all.

Step 2: Put on your new self like dressing in brand new clothes. Act like a son of God and you will be one – a true reflection of your Father.

Step 3: Listen to the referee. He is in charge of your game of life. His peace in your heart will guide and confirm your moment-by-moment choices. As long as His peace rules, keep on going. When He blows the whistle, you have overstepped the boundary. Go back and check where you erred. Put it right immediately and get on with the game.

God’s peace is a powerful force in your life, given to you at the moment when you believed that Jesus Christ is Lord, and turned your live over to Him. His peace stands on two legs which give you balance and security as you walk through life.

  1. We have peace with God. Jesus’s death and resurrection made it possible for us to be reconciled to the Father. We are no longer enemies. He has forgiven our sin and removed the barrier of guilt and shame that made us afraid of Him and of punishment. We have been justified – declared ‘Not guilty’ and our record book wiped clean of all debt.

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand (Romans 5: 1-2).

  1. We have the peace of God. His peace guards us from worry, doubt and fear if we play open cards with Him. Life is full of uncertainties. There is no guarantee that we will emerge unscathed from the troubles that infect this world. God did not promise us a trouble-free life but He did promise that good will come out of every adversity if we trust His love.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. Romans 8:28-29

Instead of harbouring our anxieties and fears, let’s be honest. Let’s confess them to Him and in exchange, He will guard our hearts and minds with His peace.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Phil. 4:6-7).

Step 4: Fill your mind with His word. Let His word guide your thoughts and attitudes instead of the anxieties and fears that will intrude if you let them. Be encouraging and positive towards your family in Christ. Build them up; don’t tear them down.

Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly …

Step 5: Be thankful and keep on being thankful; all day, every day, all the time, in every circumstance, just keep being a grateful person.

“….Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Step 6: Do everything for and with Jesus, no matter how big or small. Get out of bed in the morning for Jesus. Go to work for Jesus. Do your work for Jesus. Live in your home for Jesus. Love you family for Jesus.

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17

What a simple prescription for a prosperous and successful life!

Scripture taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.