HIS GOSPEL IS PEACE DAY 21, 2024

 

December 21, 2024

Colossians 3:15

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

And be thankful

Have you ever noticed that the Apostle Paul loves to compare the past and the present in his letters through his use of “were” and “are”: We were one thing, but now we are another. He does this even as he warns Christians still caught in the practices of the past, to remember who they are and live a new life. Something has happened to the Christian, and it’s serious. A change has happened, which leads to more changes, which are the fruit of this new relationship.

In this chapter of Colossians 3, Paul writes about the Christian life. It’s the Christian life not just because the Christian lives it, but even more because it’s lived in Christ. Christ is our life, and our lives are hidden in him.

We were. We were a lot of things. At times, we may still feel like we are those things. But, we are not those things. We have been liberated.


Truth is, that "were" (Old Life) is indeed a persistent nuisance. It attaches itself to us, lingers in the recesses of our minds, and whispers in our ears. We must remember that we are someone who is being made new in Christ. We are, here and now, God's new creation and Jesus is making all things new including us.

Today, be thankful, because that is what we are. We are God’s own children and that is our peace, the peace of Christ that passes understanding but stands guard over our lives.

Lord Jesus,
there is much that we once were that still plagues
and tempts us. That is not who we are now because
we are yours. Rule in our hearts and make us ever new.

Amen