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Ruled by Peace (1 of 2)
Series: Colossians
D. Marion Clark
Colossians 3:15
Introduction
You are wearing the perfect outfit. Every part looks good; they all match; and they fit the occasion. Everything is fine as long as no one catches on to how you feel inside. Our verse takes us inside to the heart.
Text
And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.
The first terminology to understand is ''peace of Christ.'' We are not told merely to have peace but ''peace of Christ.'' With the dress code in the previous verses, the traits stand alone - compassion, kindness, love, etc. All of the traits are to be connected with Christ, of course, but the Apostle Paul seems to emphasize the connection between peace and Christ. What happens when we contemplate the ''peace of Christ''?
Without Christ, we think in terms of having peaceful feelings within ourselves, a peace that comes from quieting our spirits. We accomplish such peace by various means - meditation, yoga, seeking out a quiet place, listening to soft music, and so on. As helpful as such activities might be to feel peaceful, that is not the peace of Christ.
Without Christ, we might think in terms of spiritual harmony with God. Our spirits are not in harmony with God's Spirit, which we obtain by meditation and other spiritual disciplines that get us in tune with God and the spiritual life. Certainly we want to be in tune with God, and spiritual practices can help, but that is not the peace of Christ.
So what is? It is the peace of reconciliation. Consider these verses from Romans 5:
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1).
For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. 11 More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, throug ...
Series: Colossians
D. Marion Clark
Colossians 3:15
Introduction
You are wearing the perfect outfit. Every part looks good; they all match; and they fit the occasion. Everything is fine as long as no one catches on to how you feel inside. Our verse takes us inside to the heart.
Text
And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.
The first terminology to understand is ''peace of Christ.'' We are not told merely to have peace but ''peace of Christ.'' With the dress code in the previous verses, the traits stand alone - compassion, kindness, love, etc. All of the traits are to be connected with Christ, of course, but the Apostle Paul seems to emphasize the connection between peace and Christ. What happens when we contemplate the ''peace of Christ''?
Without Christ, we think in terms of having peaceful feelings within ourselves, a peace that comes from quieting our spirits. We accomplish such peace by various means - meditation, yoga, seeking out a quiet place, listening to soft music, and so on. As helpful as such activities might be to feel peaceful, that is not the peace of Christ.
Without Christ, we might think in terms of spiritual harmony with God. Our spirits are not in harmony with God's Spirit, which we obtain by meditation and other spiritual disciplines that get us in tune with God and the spiritual life. Certainly we want to be in tune with God, and spiritual practices can help, but that is not the peace of Christ.
So what is? It is the peace of reconciliation. Consider these verses from Romans 5:
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1).
For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. 11 More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, throug ...
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