I wrote a piece on peace in my blog on old age luxuries. I wrote that at a time when my inner self was not at peace. As I realised that such a condition is not helpful to my faith walk, I ran to the Lord, digging into the New Testament. While the Gospel accounts offer powerful, unique, and comprehensive teachings of Jesus, the practical aspects of living out those teachings are often elaborated upon in the Epistles. The Gospels primarily focus on revealing the person, ministry, and message of Jesus Christ, presenting His teachings, miracles, and His life as the foundation of the Christian faith. In contrast, the Epistles, written by early Christian leaders such as Paul, Peter, James, and John, provide guidance on how to apply those teachings in everyday life, addressing matters of conduct, community, moral behaviour, and spiritual growth.
I love Pauline writings; therefore I read and re-read Colossians. In Colossians 3:15, Paul describes how followers of Jesus should live: "And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful." What does it mean to allow the peace of God to govern our lives? I recalled John 14:27, in which Jesus proclaimed: "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." While we know that His peace is beyond our understanding, the emphasis is "not as the world giveth, give I unto you." In these words, Jesus is assuring His followers that He is leaving them with a special kind of peace, one deeply rooted in His love, presence, and divine nature. Unlike the peace that the world offers, which can be temporary, superficial, or dependent on circumstances, Jesus' peace is eternal, unwavering, and rooted in the truth of God's promises. It is a peace that does not depend on external conditions, but comes from knowing that He is always with us, and that our relationship with God is secure.
Furthermore, Jesus encourages believers not to let their hearts be troubled or afraid. His peace has the power to calm anxieties, and to replace worry with confidence. This peace provides comfort and strength amid life's challenges, helping believers trust in His divine care and sovereignty. Essentially, Jesus offers a gift of inner tranquillity that surpasses understanding, inviting His followers to rest in His divine assurance and love.
Our quest for peace often leads us to look for it in our immediate circumstances. That is an error, as the world cannot offer us the kind of peace that Jesus can. When we look up to Him, peace descends into our inner self.
In sports, the individual with the highest authority, the referee, is responsible for enforcing the rules. Similarly, in the Christian life, Jesus holds that authority. When we submit our opinions and desires to Him, He unites us and permits His peace to govern us. When His peace rules in our hearts, we are moved to bear with one another, to forgive each other, and to embrace love as the fundamental virtue (Colossians 3:13-14).
As members of one body, we should be mindful of, and grateful for, the rules that God has given us. These guidelines help us relate to one another with a spirit of thankfulness (Colossians 3:15). Paul explains that this occurs through teaching and worship: "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord" (Colossians 3:16). Notice how a spirit of thankfulness and gratitude permeates these verses; we are encouraged to sing to God with grace in our hearts. Paul further states that whatsoever we do, in word or deed, should be done in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father by Him (Colossians 3:17).
I am at peace now. I am not afraid of either the known or the unknown. I am focused only on serving the Lord in the ways in which He has chosen me to serve. Are you currently experiencing the peace of Christ in your heart? In what ways are the qualities of Christ's peace evident in your interactions with others?