Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts …
Summary: Paul shows us how to solve one of life’s greatest challenges, a lack of peace. All we need is Jesus.
For some reason, this partial passage seems to cry out for a closer look, word by word. Let’s begin with the word “Let …”
In English, the word “let” is passive. When we “let” something happen, we “allow” it to take place. For example, if I “let the dog in,” I would open the door so the dog can come in. I don’t go out and chase the dog so I can drag it into the house — at least not in this situation.
In Greek, the word “brabeúō” is slightly different. Strong’s Concordance explains that the word means “to govern” or to “arbitrate.”
In the case of our metaphorical dog, when we “brabeúō” the dog in, we first have to have the authority to allow the dog in. If we are in someone else’s house, we don’t let animals in unless we are told to. The person who opens the door has the authority to decide which dog to let in the house.
Paul understands that we have to decide to submit to Christ’s rule.
The word “let” acknowledges that we have some authority over our lives. We decide to submit to Jesus. That doesn’t mean we have complete control. Our options are submitting to Jesus or being a slave to sin (John 8;34).
When we come to the word “peace,” Paul shows us how Jesus rules.
Submitting to Jesus is allowing God into our house.
This is very different than a pet. God is the Creator, the Maker, the Ruler of All Things. When we “brabeúō” the peace of God, we not only allow God’s peace into our lives, but we use our authority to ensure the rest of the household respects The One who comes in. Interestingly, when Christ rules in our hearts, all the dissenting voices must be quiet.
This is a big deal.
Without Christ, other voices compete for our attention. I know it is not chic to talk about demons these days, but I firmly believe that the passions of this world, without the peace of Christ in our hearts, are demonic.
Anger, rage, hate, and fear all stem from demonic influence (Ephesians 6:12).
To submit to Christ is to allow your Shepherd, Savior, and God into your spiritual house. In the presence of Christ, there is true peace.
Application: The solution to a lack of peace is more Jesus.
Food for Thought: If our thoughts are troubled, how do we get more Jesus in our lives?
Loved the devotion today brother.
If our thoughts are troubled we need to start looking at Christ and His word. That will hopefully change how we are thinking and also align our thoughts to His.
Hebrews 12: 1 – 2: Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.
2 Corinthians 10: 5: We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
He can even change how we think about ourselves if we let Him and His word in.
1 John 3: 19 – 20: This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence: If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.
Thank you, Rich.
Your comments bring to mind Romans 12:2 —
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
I agree with Rich; a very good devotional this morning.
If our thoughts are troubled, how do we get more Jesus in our lives?
I find that simply acknowledging the thoughts to Christ in prayer is a good start. I think it is the humility of acknowledging to Him that this is more than we can bear, and at the same time acknowledging that He can help us overcome it through Him, allows Him to work in our heart and “calm the storm” through His Word and through the voice of the Holy Spirit in our thoughts. I find it hard to have troubling thoughts when I can hear the voice of the Holy Spirit speaking to me. I also find the more we do this the more “territory” is won in the heart. As John the Baptist said “He must increase, but I must decrease.”
Thanks, Chris!
Yes, the power of Christ is more than just “positive thinking.” There is a presence that can be felt. It is powerful and calming.
Enjoyed the meditation and comments today guy’s!
If our thoughts are troubled, how do we get more Jesus in our lives?
Trust and Obey, for there’s no other way……
There is nothing our creator God does not know about His creation. However we must, by faith, live our lives increasingly understanding that in the power of the Holy Spirit of God, Jesus Christ now resides in our hearts. We have been redeemed by His blood, and now live empowered by the Holy Spirit.
As believers we must die to our selfish desires and live, turning to our Lord Jesus who is the source of our life. The power bringing peace into our hearts as He ministers to those called to us.
It is amazing to witness God as He gently speaks through us to the person(s) He has called to His meetings. His love is fully extended to those He calls, He knows the questions to gently ask. He knows what those He called, need to hear, and His words have the power to bring tears and silent, shock to those receiving His truths.
John 15:4, 1 John 3:9, Galatians 2:20, James 4:5
Living in the power of Christ is a process, and a central theme in Gods Word, emphasizing the transformative and sustaining influence of Jesus Christ in the life of a believer as we grow in faith. The human will must die so Gods will can be seen growing in our lives.
Thank you, Ron!
Beautifully written!