Colossians 3:15

Word on the Way is a passage sent out daily by Way.FM

Wednesday, June 23
Colossians 3:15 And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.

I'm somewhat of a worrier. I never was, but I am now. Maybe that's because having left home and struck out on my own, now about to get married, I've got a lot more responsibility. Whatever the reason, I worry. Yet, as a Christian I am called to not worry. This is part of the process of letting the 'Old Man' die and letting the 'New Man' live. A major part of that is surrender. We are asked in this verse to let His peace rule in us. Two things are important in this: peace and rule. We have to stop warring against God and we have to let Him rule. We have to stop trying to get and give up control. Why? Well, as redeemed Christians we are now part of one body. A body that attacks itself, or its head (our spiritual Head being Christ), is considering medically as diseased. So, we the church, who are considered the body 0f Christ, are what? diseased? Logically yes. The issue is that many of us are aiding and abetting the disease instead of fighting it. We need to take on His peace and let Him be the avenger, while we humbly take on His yoke and do His work.

Be thankful....? Really? What a weird way to end a verse. Yet, the truth stands. If we are redeemed by Christ's love, if we accept that love, if we act on that love, if stop fighting, if we surrender, then we will see something marvelous. We will see what God has given to redeem us, why then shouldn't we be thankful? It's almost though as if Paul, recognizing how long the disease has been ravaging God's people, has given us symptoms of what a healthy body of Christ would look like.

So, take this to heart: stop fighting, surrender to a rule of peace, and you will be thankful and will live a thankful life blessed by your King.