Ancient Words For Today - 52
In Paul's letter to the church at Colosse, he called upon them to put off the old man and put on the new man. By this he meant to change their manner of living: by walking in love, and with grace, towards others, because God was loving towards them and had bestowed His grace upon them. Only when we have received God's grace and forgiveness can we find true peace with God. Likewise, when we walk in love towards others, as God has commanded us to do, we fulfill God's commandments, our conscience remains clear, and the peace of God will rule in our hearts. Here is how Paul said it:
But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.
Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. 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. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. 1 Colossians 3:8-17
When the peace of God reigns supreme in our hearts (our thoughts, attitudes and resulting actions), and we are fitting into God's plan for our life, oh how wonderful it is! Paul went on to remind the church members to be thankful for God's grace and the blessings they had received, including their Christian brothers and sisters with whom they were united through their faith, and that they should let the word of Christ dwell in them richly. Paul's timeless message is also applicable for us. Do you have the peace of God ruling in your heart today?
Dear Heavenly Father, help us to walk in grace and love towards one another and let Your peace rule in our hearts. Please give us an appetite for Your Word through which we gain Godly wisdom and are being transformed to be Christ-like. And Lord, we ask that you continue Your work in us by Your Spirit, making our thoughts, words and actions pure and pleasing to You, even as everything Jesus did was pleasing to You, that we might bring honor and Glory to You, in Jesus Name. Amen.
"Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you." Jesus (from John 14:27)
Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man. Col 4:6