[Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts,] since as members of one body you were called to peace.
Summary: Peace in the body of Christ is a beautiful thing. It is also a key indicator of spiritual wellbeing.
There is a reason Paul mentions God’s peace in our hearts first. Paul’s thoughts are racing ahead to the image of Christ’s body that Jesus has revealed to him (Galatians 1:12).
Think, for a moment, about the “body of Christ.” It is people. That is what the “body of Christ” is—just people.
What makes the “body of Christ” the “body of Christ” is that the people who are part of the body all have Jesus in them.
As wonderful as that might sound, I feel obligated to throw some cold water on it.
Not everyone who claims to be part of the body of Christ is part of that body.
How do I know?
Jesus told me. He says, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven …” (Matthew 7:21). I don’t see how it is possible to be part of the body of Jesus and not enter the kingdom of heaven!
So how is this possible?
The Apostle John writes about this when he says, “Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1).
Then he says, “Who is the liar? It is whoever denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a person is the antichrist—denying the Father and the Son. No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also” (1 John 2:22-23).
So, he is talking about what people say about Jesus. Right?
A statement about Jesus being the Christ is nice, but remember, John tells us to “test the spirits.”
James tells us there is a connection between what a person says and what they do. He writes, “What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them?” (James 2:14)
He goes on to say that “faith without deeds is dead” (James 2:26).
Which brings us back to the body of Christ.
What do we call someone who claims to be a member of the body of Christ but has no interest in peace?
In John’s third letter, written to Gaius, he complains about a man named Diotrephes who “loves to be first” (3 John 1:9). Instead of welcoming believers in peace, Diotrephes creates division by excluding those he perceives as threats.
Perhaps the best way to wrap this meditation up is with a few more words from John. He says:
“Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God.” (3 John 1:11)
Application: Do what is good in God’s eyes.
Food for Thought: How does being “called to peace” look in real life?
Thanks brother. Seems like you are on a roll with these devotions.
One thing about peace is for it to actually occur, all parties involved have to want it. So peace on this earth can be messy, even for believers. It takes hard work. Peace talks between nations can take great effort. I think it is similar between people – assuming conflict is already present.
We should do our part to pursue peace as far as it depends on us. And we can keep the door open for peace and pray for peace when it is out of our control. We can ask for forgiveness for our part of any conflict and treat the other party with respect even if they don’t reciprocate.
Romans 12: 14 – 21 has some good guidelines: Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. c Do not be conceited. 17Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” d says the Lord. 20On the contrary:“If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Hebrews 12: 14 – 15: Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. 15See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.
See comment below…
How does being “called to peace” look in real life?
Romans 5:1, Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Colossians 3:12–14, Put on then, as Gods chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.
Receiving peace with God through Jesus Christ is Gods gift of life to each believer. Life, which is fully given, yet gradually received as each individual sheds the old and puts on the new life given to each.
All believers have become sanctified once and for all through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ, and are in the process of being sanctified daily. Peace comes and grows in each to the degree we choose to live in this process second phase.
Hebrews 10:10-14, 2 Corinthians 7:1
Nicely said, Ron!
It is a process indeed. When we choose to follow that process the result is a beautiful thing.
How does being “called to peace” look in real life?
A good devotion and good comments from Rich and Ron.
I would add that being called to peace first starts inside each believer. If we as individuals do not have peace through Christ, we cannot share in peace as His body. Now, let me clarify that I don’t mean as believers we won’t suffer from internal turmoil that comes with dealing with life. I mean that when we do, we give it the Lord. Being called to peace means actively seeking peace through Him. I know if I allowed peace to depend on me I would not have it. In seeking it through Christ, I can find it, it can receive it. And in fellowship one believer can assist in helping another find the peace that Christ offers. But hard hearts bring discord, both as individuals and within the Body. So we are called to peace as individuals, called to seek peace through Christ, casting our anxieties on Him and seeking what is written in Phil 4:8 , and then in fellowship we are called to peace collectively, helping one another, and in praise we rejoice together.
Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
Thank you Chris.
I appreciate the reminder to cast our cares upon the Lord. There is nothing too small for him to care about.
Brother Rich
You are on a “roll” yourself! 🙂
“all parties involved have to want it.”
Simple but profound.
In the absence of that we fall back on other spiritual gifts and responsibilities.