Colossians - The Peace of Christ (Daily Devotional)

Greetings and welcome to Living Supernaturally. Thank you so much once again for giving us this opportunity to minister God’s word and to spend a few moments in prayer. This week, we have been talking about the book of Colossians and we have looked at various aspects from this wonderful letter. Today, we will look at the peace of Christ. Colossians chapter 3, verse 15, ‘Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.’ Most of Paul’s letters began with the words ‘grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.’ Peace is a state of tranquility, a quietness of spirit that transcends circumstances. The term ‘peace’ is described in scripture as a gift of God which is in harmony with His character. If God is peace, then to know God is to bask in His peace. The closer we draw to Him, the more of His peace we can enjoy. God gives us clear instructions about how to draw near to Him. On the night before His crucifixion and death, Jesus was preparing His disciples for His departure from them. Jesus told them about this precious gift He was giving them- His peace. Jesus gave them and He gives us - people who have faith in Him the same gift - His peace. Jesus says, ‘peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives, I give to you, let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.’ The things of this world will not give us peace, only Jesus, the one whose nature is peace gives us true peace, a peace that passeth all understanding. True peace, the peace of Christ is tranquility of our soul, despite the circumstances, the floods and challenges that we see around us. The Greek word translated as ‘rule’ in Colossians chapter 3, verse 15 simply means to direct and to control. To have the peace of Christ ruling in our hearts, we must yield completely to God’s direction and control of our lives, both present and future. The peace of God keeps our thoughts and hearts quiet as we rest and trust in Jesus. The apostle Paul talks about the Christian calling to peace and thanksgiving. For him, these attitudes do not depend on happy life experiences or special trainings. Peace and thanksgiving come from Christ alone. When Christ’ peace rules in our hearts, it changes our view of the world. It gives us the strength to meet our challenges with grace and humility and no matter what, we are called to be thankful. Each of us can experience that peace if we humble ourselves before God.

Let us pray, Father, we thank you for your word and for teaching us about your peace, your peace that passeth all understanding. Even as we live in this world with many challenges, circumstances and difficulties that people have to face, we pray that the peace that passeth all understanding will rule and reign in our hearts, that we will look beyond these situations and look to you for help and strength, in Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

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