Allowing Peace

"Above all these things, walk in love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which you were called in one body; and be thankful." Colossians 3:14-15 NHEB

We have dealt in a previous post on the "love" part. Now let's look at the "peace" piece. The Greek word used here is "peace" and it means - peace. The Strong's definition says: "peace, peace of mind; invocation of peace a common Jewish farewell, in the Hebraistic sense of the health (welfare) of an individual." I like that because it expands it in our understanding to a total sense of well-being. 

We all know the "feeling" or "sense" of something not being quite right. The feeling is not fear, but a bit of apprehension. This is the Spirit's way of warning us that either something is not as it seems, or something is needing to be looked at again. This type of "alerting" is our Lord's ever present guarding us as we live. 

On the opposite end of the "sense," is knowing deep within that all is well. That type of peace is to be what we anticipate when all is as it should be. Sometimes, we have this sense when everything around is upside down and inside out. Then it really doesn't make sense to be at peace, but we are. This is a precious wrapping in His love. 

This verse (15) tells us to let this peace to be the determiner of how we move. It is up to us to allow this to be active. It is not something forced nor is it automatic. It is allowed. The word "rule" here is defined as: (lit: to act as arbiter in the games), I rule, arbitrate. We would call it the umpire in a game - the one who calls the shots. That is what the Holy Spirit is after. He wants to call the shots, so to speak. He wants to determine what is done and how. Normally, He is pleased with us and just flows in blessing with us. But there are times, when He speaks loudly through a sense of unrest. Then we need to be very sensitive to His touch. 

Recently I was having some doubts about a decision I had made. I had no reason to have doubts, for it seemed the right thing to do and the right way to go. But it just would not leave, so I waited, and then when that reserve did not leave, I reversed the decision. So I did not commit to do what did not bring peace in me. In a few days, that decision was confirmed as being correct, for it would have been a mess of confusion had I proceeded. I am learning. 

The last part of this verse says we are called "into" (literal) this peace for that is what our Lord is - this marvelous peace and well-being. The literal is that we are to do this in all graciousness. The word is usually translated "thankfulness" and that is not wrong, but the word's root is "grace." I think they are much the same thing. 

So as we are learning - we rejoice together for such a Lord who walks every moment with us, giving us a gracious and peaceful way to express His life in us and our life in Him. Marvelous!