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…