This is the feeling you get as you read through Colossians. The beloved Apostle Paul is opening his inspired heart giving direction on how we should put our holiness into action. As the letter draws near its end there are pithy statements made with little explanation for if the instruction is heeded the actions will flow naturally out of the holy heart. One such a place is 3:15-17. Obedience to the instruction that surrounds this short paragraph requires what is contained within it. The instruction is that we allow the peace of Christ to rule in our hearts, His Word to dwell in us, we do everything to His glory and gratitude permeates all we do.
Peace is a grace gift from Jesus to His disciples. “My peace I give you. I do not give peace like the world gives, but my peace I give.” (John ) Peace for the world is simply the absence of conflict. This is not so with the peace of God. His peace is “shalom,” which is far deeper and broader. It denotes peace with God, others, and oneself. It involves wholeness and blessing in and upon one’s life. Though He gives it to us we are responsible for allowing it to rule in our hearts. In the midst of life we must draw upon this gracious divine gift and allow it to rule our hearts.
In order for God’s Word to take up residence in us, we must have it move in. God has given us His word. We are responsible for taking it in so that it takes up residence. Reading, studying and memorizing His Word is essential if it is to dwell in us. We spend many years studying and training for occupations yet when it comes to holy living we think that it just happens. The fact is that Scripture contains all that we need for life and godliness, but if it does not reside in us we cannot draw upon it when we need it. This is why it must reside in us. We must move it in and let it dwell.
Anything done for any other reason than to glorify God and accomplish His purposes is done in vain. The emphasis here is “all.” There is no secular spiritual distinction for Christians. We are Christ’s, new creatures in Him and thus all of our life, every aspect of who and what we are has to do with Him. What we do no longer reflects only upon us, but upon Him. Our life is to be a blazing revelation that Jesus is Lord of our life!
As we read through this short paragraph it is striking how many times gratitude or thankfulness appear. It is to permeate everything. When it does it is truly liberating. When we come face to face with the what God in Christ has done for us how can we help but be thankful. This leads us to recognize that all that we are, possess, or ever will possess is but a gracious gift from God. Therefore we are freed from the necessity of grasping, holding and clinging to things. They are received with gratitude for us to use for His glory and released whenever necessary. Gratitude helps put everything in perspective. We do not become proud for all that we are is because of what He has done and all that we have is a gracious gift from Him. Every opportunity to serve as well as the ability to serve is from Him. Our life is to be a symphony of thanksgiving to Him.
Beloved let us heed this holy instruction to have the peace of Christ to rule our hearts, His Word to dwell in us, our lives glorify our Lord, and gratitude be our life attitude.
Keep Close to Jesus
Pastor Gerry