Colossians 3:15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
In the verses prior to today’s, we saw the Apostle Paul telling the Colossian church to put on virtues like patience, kindness, compassion, humility, etc. but over all of it to put on love which would bind everything together. Then we find ourselves at today’s verse.
Let the peace of Christ rule your hearts. Notice that this was written to the entire church, not to individuals. It speaks of hearts, plural. Each of them was to put on the virtues and bind it all together with love and in doing so the church as a whole would experience the peace of Christ within them.
To review, the peace of Christ is a foundational concept in our theology. It represents an inner stillness, wholeness, or confidence, all coming from God and not within ourselves or through anything we do. It is a spiritual assurance that we have based on our personal relationship with Him. It is this peace that is to rule in our hearts – not just be present, but to reign, to rule in our hearts.
Let’s pause and look at the word rule. The Greek word used for rule is brabeueto. This is an athletic term that means to act as an umpire or referee. It is Christ’s peace that we rely on to help us in making decisions or facing conflict. It helps to determine what is right and brings about resolution. Paul was telling them that when they faced disagreements or needed to make decisions, it was Christ’s peace that was to be the deciding factor in settling their disputes.
As believers we are called into unity. We are one Body. We are all part of one Church. It doesn’t matter that we have different denominations which are a result of disagreements that ended with the forming of new churches. We are still one Body and one Church, all a part of the family of God. We are His children, adopted into the family upon salvation. When there are disagreements, it interrupts fellowship and violates His call to us to let peace rule in our hearts and communities. Resolution needs to be sought immediately to restore the relationships.
We end our verse today with a command to be thankful. Paul told them they need to have gratitude which one could consider the answer to any grumbling and division amongst the church. When we are thankful and show gratitude it is hard to be negative. It is almost as if it rewires our emotions and thinking. You can think of it to be like medicine or an antidote that fixes the problems and brings about healing within the splintered body of Christ.
What is ruling in your heart? Are you fostering an attitude of thankfulness and gratitude? Are you letting peace govern your interactions with your fellow brethren? Take a few moments to evaluate your heart posture and whether you need to seek resolution within the Body. And whatever you find in your heart, turn to Him in gratitude for all He has given you and done in your life.
Prayer: Lord, Reveal to me anything that might be interrupting my fellowship within the Body and then be with me as I seek to resolve it and restore Your peace once again. Amen
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