The Peace of Christ
Scripture:
Colossians 3:15-17 (NIV)
15 Let the peace of
Christ rule in your hearts since, as members of one body, you were called to
peace. And be thankful. 16 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 17 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.
Devotion:
These verses offer a profound
invitation and command to Christ's followers. They call us to let the peace of
Christ arbitrate in our hearts, to be thankful, to let the word of Christ dwell
richly among us, and to do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving
thanks to God the Father through Him.
Our journey
through these verses begins with a powerful appeal to let the
transformative peace of Christ rule in our hearts. This peace, far from being a
mere absence of conflict, is a deep-seated tranquility that stems from our
relationship with Christ. It’s a peace that surpasses understanding, guarding
our hearts and minds (Philippians 4:7). As members of one body, we are called
to peace, which implies unity and harmony within the church. The verse ends
with a call to be thankful, a theme repeated throughout the passage,
emphasizing the attitude with which we should live our lives.
In the subsequent
verse, we are urged to immerse ourselves in the word of Christ. This entails
allowing His teachings to saturate every facet of our lives, influencing our
thoughts, actions, and attitudes. The verse also underscores the crucial
communal aspect of our faith—teaching and admonishing one another with all
wisdom. This is facilitated through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, which
serve as expressions of worship and mutual edification. Singing to God with
gratitude in our hearts is both a personal and collective act of worship,
reinforcing our sense of belonging to a larger spiritual community.
Our final verse
for today encapsulates the Christian life: whatever we do, whether in word
or deed, we are not just to do it, but to do it all in the name of the Lord
Jesus. This is a powerful call to represent Christ in every area of our lives,
seeking to honor Him with our actions and speech. The verse concludes with a
reminder to give thanks to God the Father through Jesus Christ. Gratitude is
the thread that runs through these verses, binding together the various aspects
of the Christian walk.
In these three
verses, we find a blueprint for Christian living. The peace of Christ is to
govern our interactions and decisions, leading us to live in unity with our
brothers and sisters in Christ. The word of Christ is to inhabit us, shaping us
into His likeness and enabling us to encourage one another. Our entire lives
are to be lived as an act of worship, doing everything for the glory of God.
Prayer:
Dear Lord, open our hearts today to
begin letting your peace dwell within them. Keep us from all anger, resentment,
bitterness, or unforgiveness we may have let dwell in our hearts. Purify our
lives so that we may be ambassadors of your love. May we spread your love
wherever we go and in whatever we do or say. Lead us in the way of your peace,
dear Jesus. Amen.
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