“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” (Colossians 3:15)
In the third chapter of the Book of Colossians, in the New Testament, the Apostle Paul lays out the house rules for the church as we come together corporately as a body, but then as we leave the church individually as members of that body.
When I was growing up my mom and dad had certain house rules for how we were to conduct ourselves in our home, but some of those same rules applied for when we left the home, because when we left the home we were actually taking the home with us. The way we lived our lives outside the house reflected the kind of house that we lived in.
The same goes for how we live our lives as believers. The best argument for Christianity and the best argument against Christianity is the life of a Christian. Not only are we to be his witnesses, but we ought to be a part of the evidence. There are three specific ways we can be that kind of witness. Let’s talk about the first today and we’ll discuss the other two tomorrow.
The first thing we can do to be a strong witness for Christ is to let the peace of Christ regulate our character. Paul writes, “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful” (Colossians 3:15). Now, I don’t know about you, but for me that is a welcomed scripture in a time right now where it is hard to find peace anywhere and when you do, it seems like it is in pieces.
Paul is not even referring to the kind of peace that we all wish that we had not only between each other, but between nations. The peace that he is talking about is unlike any other peace you will find anywhere other than Jesus.
The peace that Jesus gives that Paul was talking about is not like the world’s peace. Any peace you find that comes from this world will not last. It is temporary. You might find peace for a while in a pill, or in a bottle, or in a vacation getaway, but it won’t last. The peace that Jesus gives is a forever peace. My hope is that you let that peace regulate every area of your life.
Dear Lord, thank you that there is always peace to be found in you. I pray that your peace would regulate my character so that I might point others to you. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Topics: Peace
