Let Peace Rule

And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.

Okay - Colossians 3 is one of those challenging passages of Scripture that compels us to know who we are, whose we are, where we draw our life, and what that should look like. Here, Paul is giving a command that requires submission: "Let..."

So - it's like when my daughter was little and had a splinter. She wouldn't stop screaming and holding her finger until I physically would sit her down, lift her chin to look at me, and say, "Honey, let me look at it." It's a command, but it's not a demand. Paul's giving an order, but it's for us... and it's up to us. What is it he wants us to "let"?

"...The peace of Christ rule in your hearts."

Sounds nice, doesn't it?

But let me ask you a question: When you look back at the day passed, what did rule your heart? Did you struggle against anxiety? ...embitterment? ...insecurity? ...competitiveness? ...isolation? ...materialism? ...self-righteousness? ...or maybe you didn't even put up a struggle :)

Paul wants Christ's peace to rule - He knows you've GOT His peace. He knows Jesus' peace CAN rule. He knows it likely ISN'T ruling. He knows you'll be better off if His peace DOES rule. And He knows it's ultimately up to you to LET Christ's peace rule.

What would it take for the peace of Christ - the sensible security of our savior's sufficiency - to dominate every other turbulent emotion in your heart?

Would you have to trust that God knows better than you what you need? He sent His Son when you and I often would choose shallow self-improvement, didn't He? Sure seems like He knew better than us!

Would you have to trust that God is capable of bringing about what He knows is best? He was able to place our sinful nature on His Son's cross, and then raise up a NEW YOU with Him when He walked out of the tomb - with YOU! That's pretty powerful!

Would you have to believe that not only does God know better, and is capable of bringing about what is better, but that He will? That He loves you enough to accomplish what He alone knows you need no matter what?

He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? (Check out Romans 8:32!)

He loves you so much that He gave His Son to die so that you - a rebel & traitor to the Kingdom - might know Him as Father. Jesus died so that those who would kill Him could be called His brethren and co-heirs! That's RADICAL LOVE!

So, here's an idea. Wake up tomorrow and walk through a little trust inventory:

> Do you see from what He gave that He knows what you really need?

> Do you see from what He's done that He can do whatever you need?

> Do you see from what He paid that He loves you enough to pay more than you could ever need?

...Then, my friend - let peace rule. The God who gave so much still gives. The Father who calls you His child still calls you by His Name. The Lord of Life still wants to live it in and through you - today.

...and you can trust - and have peace - that He will do just that... if you'll let Him.