Seeds for 3/28/2023 - Colossians 3:15
Scripture: “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. 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.”
Observation: Periodically throughout Paul’s letters, he breaks into something that is half exhortation and half prayer of blessing. This is one of those times.
The context for this blessing/exhortation goes back to verse 12, “Therefore, as God’s chosen people…” Paul is talking about life within the church community and how to live together in a way that builds up Christian fellowship. This is especially clear since Paul refers to them as “members of one body.”
“Since” — They are called to peace because they belong to one another in the same way that a foot, hand, ear, and eye belong to one another in a singular body, as Paul discusses in 1 Corinthians 12 where he extends the metaphor. Body parts at odds with one another produce illness rather than health. A peaceful spirit, on the other hand, contributes to health.
“Let the peace of Christ rule” - The image Paul conjures is of our hearts as the throne of our whole person. Who or what is ruling at our center? Franticness? Worry? Distress? Or “the peace of Christ”? Perhaps the word “let” isn’t lecturing or guilting us but kindly inviting us into a better way—to allow “the peace of Christ” to come and rule instead of the other stuff.
Peace in the whole body of Christ depends on each person’s commitment to peace within themselves. If I’m worked up, I’m going to carry that worked up energy with me when I speak or interact with you. You might get worked up because that’s what you “caught” from me. But if I am at peace, I can bring that peaceful energy into our interaction. Perhaps I could even help you become a little more calm—experience a little more peace—because that’s how I was when I showed up.
The first step in being a peacemaker might not be managing other people’s emotional states, but simply letting “the peace of Christ rule” in my heart so that I can bring that centered peaceableness when I encounter you. That would be a gift to be thankful for.
Application:
What’s ruling your heart right now?* What helps you allow the peace of Christ to rule your heart?
What else might the Holy Spirit speaking with you about in the text today?
Prayer: Lord, come rule in my heart with your peace. May your peace be the gift I bring others today. Amen.
*This text, and the two questions above, taps into a classic question from the Methodist revival for watching over one another in love: “How is it with your soul?” This is a way for Christian friends to check on one another with care.
“But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” (Matthew 13:23)
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A good word today and every day.
I like “let the peace of Christ rule.” Powerful. We should all be asking ourselves each day if “ all is well with my soul” and self correct if not. I do this through prayer and meditation which brings peace.