Colossians 3:15-17 The Message
15-17 Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness. Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God! Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way.
Word of God for the Children of God
Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.
What do football, soccer, basketball, tennis, and baseball have in common?
They all involve some sort of referees whose sole purpose is to enforce the rules of the game.
These rule-keepers play a critical role.
Authority has been given to them to ensure the game is fairly played and can proceed without confusion or disruption.
In Colossians 3:15, describes how followers of Jesus should live:
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.”
What does it mean to let the “peace of Christ” rule?
In a sporting event, the person with the most authority is given responsibility to enforce the rules of the game.
In the Christian life, Jesus has that authority.
When all of our individual opinions and desires are subjected to Him, He brings us together allowing peace to rule over us. When His peace rules, we will “bear with each other,” “forgive one another,” and will “put on love” (vv. 13–14).
As members of one body, we are to be mindful of and thankful for the rules we have been given by God.
They help us relate to one another in a spirit of thanksgiving (v. 15).
Paul explains how this happens through teaching and worship:
“Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts” (v.16).
Notice how a spirit of thankfulness and gratitude is woven through these verses. We are told to sing to God “with gratitude in your hearts” (v. 16).
Paul says that “whatever [we] do, whether in word or deed,” when done in Jesus’ name, demonstrates our thankfulness to God (v. 17).
Go Deeper
Are you able to say you are experiencing the peace of Christ in your heart? In what ways is the peace of Christ being displayed in your life toward others?
In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,
Praying, ….
Philippians 4:6-9 The Message
6-7 Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.
8-9 Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.
Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.
Loving God, Living God, Loving Hope, Living Hope, Loving Living Life His Way! "Many things are possible for the person who has hope. Even more is possible for the person who has faith. And still more is possible for the person who knows how to love. But everything is possible for the person who practices all three virtues." - Brother Lawrence (1605-1691), Practicing the Presence of God (1692). 