Colossians 3:14; John 14:16-31 – Peace
The Lord Jesus Christ left a wonderful legacy to his own disciples when He said to them ‘Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you’; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.’ John 14:27. This is the peace of knowing that the sin that separates from God has been forgiven; the present circumstances of life are under the control of the sovereign and loving God, and the future is safe and secure in the place that God has prepared.
This peace, says the apostle, is to rule in the heart. The idea behind the word ‘rule’ is that of an umpire or an arbitrator at the games; somebody who looks on to make sure that the competitors act fairly within the rules. The peace of God in the heart acts like an umpire in the sense that when any thought, word, or action is tending to disturb our peace and take our minds from focusing on Christ, it is to be avoided. ‘There is nothing so precious that it is worth while to lose the peace of Christ for the sake of it’. Alexander MacClaren.
This peace is not just individual, it also has a social or corporate aspect. Believers are called to be a part of the body of Christ and the members of that body are to live in peace and harmony with one another. Psalm 133. Such peace and harmony can be encouraged when there is thankfulness for all that God has done. It is very difficult to be overwhelmed with gratitude for all the goodness that we have received for the hand of God, and then to feel upset or annoyed because somebody else appears to have more than us!
Questions
- How can we be more aware of the peace of God in our hearts and how can be encourage peace and harmony in our own fellowship?
Prayer Points
- Pray for the preaching and hearing of God’s Word tomorrow.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.