Friday, August 4, 2023
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.
Peace.
Think about that word for a moment. Oxford dictionary defines it as “freedom from disturbance; tranquility; a state or period in which there is no war or a war has ended.” That certainly does not describe our time, nor really any other in the history of the world since Genesis, Chapter 2. But our gracious God has made a way for us to have peace in spite of our circumstances. The apostle Paul tells us to let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts. When we have rid ourselves of anger, malice, gossip, and lying, we put to death our sinful nature. We then clothe ourselves in compassion, kindness, and humility. We learn to forgive as the Lord has forgiven us, so there is no need for turmoil in our hearts and lives.
Think about what causes you to be anxious and unsettled. Chances are good that you will find yourself trying to control outcomes—to make things the way you think they should be. Yet, when you are thankful for things as they are and trust God with the outcomes, there is tranquility as you welcome the peace of Christ to rule in your heart. As the message of Christ fills your heart, it reveals the places where there is still sin that needs to be dealt with.
In the community which God has provided for us, the body of Christ, his church, we can be encouraged and receive wisdom to chip away at those sins. Even though it is not easy to be grateful to those who help us uncover and dispose of our sin, when done in love, they are easier to let go of. In my experience, I find it helpful to replace them with something positive that I can focus on, such as replacing greed with intentional generosity or pride with a greater belief in myself as a child of God.
As Pastor Ben shared last weekend, our beliefs shape the behaviors of our lives. When I believe that everything I do is done in and for the glory of our Lord Jesus, then I elevate every task so that Jesus is glorified by whatever I do. My focus is to honor him in my life by the things I think, do, and say. It is a process—a long process—but one worthy of my time and attention. I am grateful that Paul said this in his letter to the Philippians:
Philippians 1:6
And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.
Questions:
Is your life peaceful? What could you let go of what is disrupting your peace?
Next Steps:
Make a list of those things that you are anxious about. Ask God to help you know what you can do about them. Seek counsel from a trusted friend. Listen to the Holy Spirit. Do it, and let it go. Trust God with the outcome.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for your instruction and guidance. Help me to seek you first as I go through my day. I trust that your peace will dwell in my heart as I focus on you and your will. Give me grace so that everything I say and do brings honor and glory to you. I pray my life will cause others to wonder about the peace that I have and ask me for the source, so that I can point them to you. Amen.
Series Theme Verse:
Colossians 1:23
But you must continue to believe this truth and stand firmly in it. Don’t drift away from the assurance you received when you heard the Good News. The Good News has been preached all over the world, and I, Paul, have been appointed as God’s servant to proclaim it.