Peace Rules
Colossians 3:12-16
This is one of my favorite passages in the Bible. Paul is teaching the Colossians about how to live as Christians, ones who have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ. He says in verses 12- 17, “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other, as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in your richly, teaching, and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Isn’t that just the best prescription for how we should live our lives?
Rather than being self-centered, focused only on what we can get out of other people, Paul tells us to live like Christ. As I see it, compassion, kindness, humility, patience, and bearing with one another through the love of Jesus Christ are the means by which we change the world. This isn’t easy, in fact it is impossible without the Holy Spirit abiding in us. A few weeks ago I found myself distraught with a friend of mine. She was in a bad mood about something and no matter how much I inquired as to her well-being, she just wouldn’t open up. What did I do? Have compassion for her? be patient with her?bear with her? Not a chance. I took her bad mood personally and descended into my own darkness. I took my eyes off Jesus and let the devil roost in my heart for a time. As the Holy Spirit, full of compassion, patience, and forbearance, worked on me, I came to realize how mean-spirited I had been. I expected better of myself and God did too, after all He sent His only son to suffer and die on a cross for my sins. With my eyes on Jesus again, humility settled in my heart and I asked forgiveness for my sin. Paul tells us in the latter part of this scripture to be thankful and to sing psalms and hymns. Picture every Christian living a life of thankfulness and filled with songs of joy. Wouldn’t you want to be around these positive people. Think of our neighbors and strangers who see us as we conduct our business and run our errands. Are we so filled with love and happiness we draw them to us? Do they want to know why we can be so full of joy even when we struggle with the difficulties of life? Isn’t it amazing that just living a joy-filled Christian life might bring other neighbors and strangers we meet to know Jesus Christ as their Savor and Lord?
By : Anne Morgan