Peace That Is Real

The Apostle Paul starts Colossians 3 with an important statement about our spiritual positioning: raised with Christ and seated in heavenly places. Unpacking how this changes our behaviour and thinking. Then he encourages us to grab hold of something critical to root us in that right spiritual position so that everything else in our lives can flow from there.

This right starting point, unity with Christ, new nature and liberty, sets us in the place of PEACE.

Colossians 3:15 (NIV) “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.”

We often say of our loved ones who die “rest in peace” but usually fail to see this as something real in our own hearts while we are alive. Maybe we have moments of peace, watching a glorious sunset, having a coffee break, getting some time with our Heavenly father in prayer. These moments of peace come and go if we are dependent upon external factors. Living in peace? Now that is a different matter altogether. We tend to think of peace as a future event or an impossible utopia (a perfect society).

Paul invites us to see things differently ... peace is to rule in our hearts ... peace is permanent and continual ... peace sets our agendas and decision making ... peace governs our relationships and interactions ... peace is the environment we live in ... peace is something we carry with us ... peace is internal, flowing from Christ in us.

Peace in us is just the starting point. We are called to peace, to be peace-makers. Generating that same peace everywhere we go in the lives of those around us.

Husbands/wives who create peace in the home, promoting one another in love. Parents/children who see beyond the who is right or wrong and focus on getting the relationship right. Bosses/workers who see God’s best in everyone they work with. Each recognising the inheritance peace produces in their lives. (Colossians 3:18-25)

This peace transforms our prayer life too. Moving us from a work and striving mindset into a thankful, faith-filled and devoted relationship with the One who answers prayer. Peace generating opportunities from hearts to change. (Colossians 4:2-6)

This peace changes our witness as folks around us see us as someone to imitate. Instead of trying to persuade someone, we find those same people beginning to model their lives on us. (1 Thessalonians 1:6-8).

This same peace affects how we respond to personal loss, to the death of loved ones. Supernatural and full of hope, this peace reminds us who is truly in charge of everything. This peace is the peace of Christ. It is the peace that Pastor Colin taught me to receive and live in. It’s the same peace I have regularly ministered into our church, speaking it out and seeing bodies respond in healing.

This peace is real. Do you know this peace? All you have to do is ask ...