Every Monday, 12:00 AM
Letting God’s Peace Rule Our Hearts
By Jennifer Slattery
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 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. - Colossians 3:12-16
As someone prone to anxiety and who comes from a long line of worriers, I’m intrigued by the phrasing of verse 15. I find it interesting that Scripture doesn’t say “gain” or “discover” the peace of Christ. Instead, it tells us to allow His peace to control, to reign over, and to direct our hearts, the seat of our emotions and intellect. This suggests, even in my angsty moments, that I possess His peace.
Scripture affirms this. Shortly before His death, knowing all His disciples would soon witness and experience, Jesus said He gave them His peace, indicating that it came not from their circumstances but instead, from Him. We’re also told, in Galatians 5:22 that the fruit, product, or result of the Spirit’s work in us is, among other things, peace.
When I combine these truths with the Bible’s directive to “let” God’s peace reign, I’m invited to consider ways in which I might be resisting this precious gift given me through my faith in Christ. Granted, I recognize there are numerous circumstances, from job loss to health challenges, that can cause us to worry and feel afraid. I don’t want to diminish that. Yet, God has also shown me, often during some of my most unsettling seasons, how much of my anxiety stemmed from the state of my heart. I can’t experience the peace of Christ while actively nursing a grudge, harboring bitterness, or strategizing how to get even with someone who wronged me. The more I ruminate on my offenses, the greater my angst.
I “let” Christ’s peace rule as I follow the guidance recorded in today’s passage. Verse 1 tells me to focus on and prioritize those things of eternal value, which helps place today’s frustrations in proper perspective. Verses 5-10 tell me to “put to death” or turn from, sinful cravings and self-destructive behaviors. As I do, these “urges” lose their grip over me, making me less apt to hurt others and plunge into the pit of regret.
Verse 12 reminds me of my secure standing as God’s child. Remembering that I’m His chosen and dearly loved daughter quiets the anxiety that leads to defensiveness. It also helps me rest in the knowledge that my Father has good planned for me and the power to bring His plans to pass. The more I receive His love and grace, the better I’m able to offer others, including those who have hurt me, these same transformative, healing gifts.
Intersecting Life & Faith:
To summarize, based on the context surrounding Colossians 3:15, here are powerful ways we “let” the peace of Christ rule in our hearts: We intentionally and regularly focus on Christ, everything we have in Him, and all that awaits us in eternity. We don’t give in to or dwell on those things that pull our hearts from the thriving life for which we were created. We relate to others with honesty and integrity, living like the redeemed and empowered children of God we are. And we don’t hold on to and ruminate over past offenses.
Imagine the freedom we’d experience if we prayerfully read through Colossians 3 each night before we went to bed, inviting God to search and cleanse us of everything that steals our peace. And then ended our prayers speaking to ourselves as Colossians 3:16 instructs us to talk to one another—with hymns, songs, and thanksgiving.