As Christians, there are certain things we need to put off and certain things we need to put on. We read this last week at the beginning of Colossians 3. Paul is telling the Colossians how they can live a victorious Christian life. This thought continues as we pick up in verse 14: “Above all, put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.” When a person believes in Jesus for salvation, God puts him in the Body, the Church. The body has variety and diversity, but we must work in unity. The devil knows a house divided against itself cannot stand. Above all that Paul has mentioned here, we are called to love. Why? The world will know we are God’s disciples by our love (Jn. 13:35). God is love and we love because He first loved us.
The Peace of Christ
Paul continues, “And let the peace of Christ, to which you were also called in one body, rule your hearts. And be thankful” (v. 15). The peace of God is not the same as peace with God. Peace with God happens at salvation (Rom. 5:1, Col. 1:20). In Philippians 4:7, Paul describes the peace of God as something that surpasses all understanding and that guards our hearts and minds. Peace is the opposite of worry. Worry means to pull apart. Peace means to join together. “Rule” is an athletic term meaning to umpire or referee. What is ruling in your heart? Is it anger or bitterness? Discontentment or jealousy? God is always more concerned about what is going on within you than what is going on around you. God wants to bring peace to your chaos. When you feel like your whole world is unraveling and you feel like you are falling apart, the peace of God will guard your emotions. I love the quote that says, “When you find a Bible falling apart it probably belongs to someone who is not.”
The Word of Christ
“Let the word of Christ dwell richly among you, in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts” (v. 16). Jesus is the Word of God. You would not know the living Word apart from the written Word. All scripture is God-breathed. “Dwell” means to settle down. It literally means to be at home. Do you live in the Word and stay in the Word? God’s Word should be welcomed in every area of our lives. Instead of dwelling on the past or on your problems, dwell on the promises of God’s word. How? Read God’s word daily. Hear God’s word in sermons and in songs. Study God’s word. Memorize God’s word. Treasure God’s word. Ultimately, obey God’s word. Be a doer of the word and not a hearer only. And share God’s word. The Bible is morning manna, living water, and it is milk and meat through which we taste and see the Lord is good. When making a decision, our first question should be, “What does the Bible say?” One way we teach and learn the word of God is through worship. We sing to God, but we also sing to admonish ourselves and one another. The only thing God has exalted above His name is His Word (Ps. 138:2).
The Name of Christ
“And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (v. 17). Whatever you do, do your best for Jesus. Before you do something ask this question, “Would Jesus put His name on it?” A person’s name is so important. What do you write on a legal document or on a check? Your name. There is authority in your name. A President or Governor signs bills into law with the signature of his name. Jesus told us to pray in the name of Jesus (Jn. 14:13-14). There is power in the name of Jesus. That is why we pray in the name of Jesus. We praise the name of Jesus. We will be persecuted and hated for His name’s sake (Acts 5:40-41). The reason we live is to make much of His name. Acts 2:21 says, “Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Acts 4:12 says, “There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to people by which we must be saved.”
As you seek to live the Christian life victoriously, ask God to help you love Him and others. Ask for His peace to rule in your heart and for His word to dwell in you. Finally, whatever you do, do it all in the name of Jesus.
