“Are you troubled recently? Are you bothered by the happenings in the world? Are you disturbed by the unpleasant events in your life? Are you struggling about your future?” If you had these questions, then you did have the lack of peace.
Does the peace of this world suffice? If it does not, why did some Christians still look for it and desire it? Do you seek it yourself? Do you seek the peace of Christ? Which one do you seek? When we came to Christ, we began to understand the real meaning of peace. We know that this world can never offer us the peace which satisfies and suffices. Having walked with Jesus all these years, how have we grown in our understanding of this peace which only Christ Jesus can offer and has offered? Have we grown in our pursuit and practice of this peace in our daily walk with Christ Jesus our Lord? In this perspective, I would like to share my thoughts on this Bible verse: Colossians 3:15. There are three different Bible translations which I would like to look at and share from.
And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. (Colossians 3:15 ESV).
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. (Colossians 3:15 NIV1984).
And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. (Colossians 3:15 NLT).
- The Greek word for “Peace” is “Eirene”.
“Eirene” is pronounced as “Eirini” or “Irini” (Irene). Peace of Christ in Greek is ειρήνη του Χριστού, eirini the christos.
Extracted from https://www.wordsoffaithhopelove.com
The word “peace” in the New Testament is from the Greek word eiréné (i-ray’-nay). According to Strong’s Concordance, eiréné means one, peace, quietness, and rest. It originates from the root word eirō, which means to join, or tie together into a whole.
In this Bible verse, it is about the peace of Christ which is the peace of God. In Romans 5:1b, I am reminded that “we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” We have this peace of Christ when we have Christ Jesus in our heart and life. When we turn our hearts in faith by trusting Christ Jesus as Saviour and Lord, we have peace with God. This Bible verse in Colossians 3:15 says: “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts.” This means that there is more to just having peace with God.
- The word which caught my attention is “Rule”.
The focus is now on this word “Rule”. This word “Rule” means “Reign” or “Control” or “Direct” or “Act”. If the peace of Christ ruled in your heart, you would have the power to be at peace with yourself and at peace with others and hence, you would be able to make peace with others and with yourselves. The peace of Christ will not be able to rule in your heart if you do not allow it to do so. That is why the apostle Paul instructed us to “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts.” The basis of this instruction is that we belong to the Body of Christ. The Body of Christ is the Church of Christ, the People of God, the Community of Faith, the Community of Believers. We are members of that One Body. What are we called to do in this One Body? We are called in this One Body to this wonderful virtue: “peace”.
This leads me to understand further about the peace of Christ. The peace of Christ is so wonderful. You cannot fully comprehend it. It surpasses (transcends) all understanding. Let it rule (reign) in your heart. Experience the perfect assurance that the Lord God Almighty is in control and that He is Sovereign. Amen. This is what Philippians 4:7 says, “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” The peace of God guards me against anxiety. {Anxiety is more serious than worry.} It gives me the assurance that He will watch over me and handle it for me. I can trust Him wholeheartedly. I can rest in His perfect, purified peace.
I pray that I will let the peace of Christ rule in my heart. I do not want to assume or presume that I have it, but I want to really encounter it and experience it for myself.
Indeed, the earnest desire of my heart is to focus on the peace of Christ. It is so important to have the peace of Christ. The wonderful peace of Christ: Let us appreciate this peace of Christ in our hearts. “Father in Heaven, I appreciate You. Amen.”
- The link or relationship between “Peace” and “Thankfulness”.
This Bible verse did not stop at “to which indeed you were called in one body.” It says: “Be thankful.” I was wondering why the apostle Paul added these two words. Is there a link or relationship between “peace” and “thankfulness”? Indeed, there is. When you have peace, you would be thankful. When you have the perfect peace of Christ, you will therefore be thankful. Let us give thanks to God for this perfect peace of Christ.
When the peace of Christ rules in your heart, you will have the power to make peace with others. Then, when you are at peace with others. you would be thankful. When the peace of Christ rules in your heart, you will first have peace with yourself and then, you will be able to have peace with others. With this wonderful peace of Christ in our hearts, let us indeed be thankful to God always. Amen.
I like what the Amplified Bible puts it: “Let the peace of Christ [the inner calm of one who walks daily with Him] be the controlling factor in your hearts [deciding and settling questions that arise]. To this peace indeed you were called as members in one body [of believers]. And be thankful [to God always].” (Colossians 3:15 AMP)
