In Colossians 3:15, we read, “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.”
Jesus wrought peace for His people in dying for them upon Calvary’s cross. And, after the Holy Spirit has quickened us, enabling us to hear the things of God, the gospel speaks peace to our souls as we hear the good news of the great work Christ accomplished for us and of the peace we now have with God in and through Him. Moreover, as we read our Bible and continue to learn of Him, the knowledge of that peace is often brought to our remembrance, we become more established in its present truth, and we become even more settled in that peace which passeth understanding. How wonderful to be reminded that we are eternally secure in that peace which Jesus has wrought for His people!
However, our text says “let” the peace of God rule in your heart. That tells us that there is a choice. That says things can hinder us from enjoying the blessings of that peace which can be ours daily. That’s also why the next verse says to “let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.” If we will remember Jesus, and what He has done for us, that should stir our hearts to thank God for that peace which He wrought for us and has placed within us. We have His Holy Spirit which witnesses to us that this peace is ours and that it cannot be taken from us! But, when we forget His word, and when we are so entangled with the affairs of this life that we don’t take time to think of Him or thank Him for His blessings, then what begins to rule in our heart is the desires of the flesh. And, that will bring trouble instead of peace every time. At that point, we begin to “grieve” the Holy Spirit by walking in the flesh, rather than walking in the Spirit. Romans 8:6 tells us, “For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.”
Friends, the peace of God in our hearts is something for which we should be thanking the Lord daily! And what’s more, that peace should be “ruling” in our heart. In other words, by keeping in memory the word of God and the peace of God, they can be like “umpires” to us by warning us when things happen that violate godly behavior. And, instead of just mindlessly continuing in an improper situation, the child of God has referees to help him stay on track – when you “let” it be so, and not ignore it or be willingly ignorant of it.
So, as we go through this week, may God bless us to remember His word and the peace which Jesus wrought for us on the cross. May a remembrance of those things bring peace to our soul. And, don’t forget to thank Him daily for that peace which we have by grace.
In the love of Christ,
Elder Clayton Nowell
God “sent” peace to earth at the birth of Jesus when the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us. (Luke 2:14, John 1:14)However, our text says “let” the peace of God rule in your heart. That tells us that there is a choice. That says things can hinder us from enjoying the blessings of that peace which can be ours daily. That’s also why the next verse says to “let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.” If we will remember Jesus, and what He has done for us, that should stir our hearts to thank God for that peace which He wrought for us and has placed within us. We have His Holy Spirit which witnesses to us that this peace is ours and that it cannot be taken from us! But, when we forget His word, and when we are so entangled with the affairs of this life that we don’t take time to think of Him or thank Him for His blessings, then what begins to rule in our heart is the desires of the flesh. And, that will bring trouble instead of peace every time. At that point, we begin to “grieve” the Holy Spirit by walking in the flesh, rather than walking in the Spirit. Romans 8:6 tells us, “For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.”
Friends, the peace of God in our hearts is something for which we should be thanking the Lord daily! And what’s more, that peace should be “ruling” in our heart. In other words, by keeping in memory the word of God and the peace of God, they can be like “umpires” to us by warning us when things happen that violate godly behavior. And, instead of just mindlessly continuing in an improper situation, the child of God has referees to help him stay on track – when you “let” it be so, and not ignore it or be willingly ignorant of it.
So, as we go through this week, may God bless us to remember His word and the peace which Jesus wrought for us on the cross. May a remembrance of those things bring peace to our soul. And, don’t forget to thank Him daily for that peace which we have by grace.
In the love of Christ,
Elder Clayton Nowell