Many Christians are familiar with the classic hymn “It Is Well with My Soul.” The first line of the song reads, “When peace like a river attendeth my way.” But, for most of us, peace isn’t a mighty and strong river. It’s more like a feather that can be easily pushed aside by the concerns and worries of life. For me, holding on to peace in the midst of turmoil is like trying to catch a piece of dust in the air!
But in Colossians 3, Paul describes peace in a very different way, a ruling kind of peace: “Let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts” (Colossians 3:15). The word that he uses for “rule” is the same word that was used for judges in contests and implies authority and command. How great it would be if this were the kind of peace present in our lives—one not easily pushed to the margins but that rules in our hearts and over our lives!
Paul said that the means to having peace is through some spiritual disciplines that are familiar to us: reading and meditating on Scripture, worshiping, and giving thanks (Colossians 3:16-17). But he also includes another discipline we often overlook: community. This ruling kind of peace is rooted in our calling as members of the church. And this is consistent with what he teaches in Ephesians 4:11-16, that we gain strength against trials as we take part in the greater body of Christ.
If we desire to have the kind of peace that Paul describes, a ruling kind of peace that remains in our lives no matter the circumstances, it’s important for us to be in relationship with other believers in Jesus. Peace isn’t just about me, but about us!
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: 1 Samuel 8:1-5
More:
Read Philippians 4:4-9 to see another instance in which Paul describes peace as an active quality, one that is strengthened through spiritual disciplines.
Next:
What has been the relationship between practicing spiritual disciplines and having a sense of personal peace in your life? What does it look like for you to pursue spiritual disciplines, not just as an individual but in community?
Gary Shultz on March 21, 2015 at 7:00 am
A wonderful point to be sure. The Christian today does not seem very peaceful one mention of civil behavior, government, or current events and the teeth get clinched. The day is daunting, but we do need to be a community of peace. And that takes faith, just like the disciples in the storm, they needed to consider Jesus more than the storm. Faith takes some actual living out a life close to Christ. The disciples eventually got it and brought and grew the peace of God all over the world. Thanks, we need that peace.
peter chin on March 25, 2015 at 12:13 am
Amen – a peace like that, which rules rather than being ruled, will carry us into the nations!
godlove on March 21, 2015 at 8:15 am
Thanks very much for this reminder to us all about the importance of having peace in our hearts, the real peace: the peace of Christ which passes all understanding. I reckon this to be part of the promise in Jesus’ parting words to the disciples in Matthew 28:18-20, when he promises: “And surely I am with you always to the very end if the age.” Now, there is no peace more commanding than the peace Christ gives us, if only we would let Him dwell in our hearts.
(Just a little bit baffled by the choice of the photo illustration though, not quite sure what it represents… ☺)
peter chin on March 25, 2015 at 12:14 am
A “commanding” peace, that’s a wonderful way to put it, and very much in line with the Great Commission. And frankly, I have no idea what the picture is supposed to represent either…(scratching head)
daisymarygoldr on March 21, 2015 at 5:08 pm
Are you saying that you are not having a sense of personal peace in your life because you have not been reading and meditating on Scripture, worshipping and giving thanks in relationship with other believers in Jesus? As a Pastor, I am sure you are diligently pursuing and practicing these spiritual disciplines in your life 🙂
So then, how can we have this “ruling kind of peace that remains in our lives no matter the circumstances”? For the peace of God to rule in our hearts, the Prince of Peace must reign in our lives.
What does it mean for Christ to reign in our lives? Ask the wild wind and boisterous waves that were breaking into the boat. No matter how fierce the storm, when Christ commands: “Peace, be still”, even the wind and waves obey Him (Mark 4:39.41).
Lesson we need to learn: Only when we obey God’s commands we will have “peace flowing like a gentle river” (Isaiah 48:18)
What command? Jesus said,” My peace I give to you…Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful”. The attitude of disobedience is to remain fearful while the obedient will do exactly what the Lord tells— and not be fearful.
What causes one to obey the Lord? Yielding to His Spirit. Letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace (Romans 8:6). This is how submission to the Kingship and Lordship of Jesus Christ results in His peaceful rule over all circumstances in our lives.
Winn Collier on April 4, 2015 at 8:56 pm
Thanks for this insightful connection between the ‘rule’ of peace and the ‘community’ of God.