Let Peace Rule Your Heart
Col.3:14,15 "And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful."
It sounds too simple doesn't it: put on charity, and let peace rule: It really is that simple!
You put on charity; and you allow the peace of God to rule in your heart. If you are a new creation in Christ, you have a choice in these matters! You don't have to be tossed around by the storms of life, and by the obnoxious people in your path. Inner peace is your inheritance from your Heavenly Father. No matter what is going on around you, your Heavenly Father is there with you and his Spirit is in you, to bring you through it, and make you an overcomer!
When you receive Christ as your lord and savior, you are equipped with all the love and peace that you will ever need. The love of God has been shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit, who transforms the human spirit at the time of the new birth. When you put on Christ, you have put on his charity (love). God is love, and you are in Christ- there is no lack of love in Christ!
Where there is love, peace will rule! How could it be otherwise? I'm talking about the real peace that comes from Jesus, not the 'peace' that is dependent on right circumstances, and favorable situations. The peace that is to rule the believers heart is not dependent upon outer conditions, it is a result of the abundant life of God, which courses through the heart of the Christian who is saved by grace, and has learned to rest in God's unconditional love.
Rom. 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
A kingdom is ruled by a king, and our King Jesus is "The Prince Of Peace" !
Our part, is to allow King Jesus to rule us, to let his peace rule our hearts. Our normal state is one of peace! Our 'default mode' is peace and joy. Our peace of mind and our awareness of God's presence seem to depart, when our focus is directed to the appearance of things, and away from the facts of our redemption in Christ. It is our undisciplined thinking habits, and our ignorance of God's word and his nature, that cause the turmoil in our minds and hearts when we are faced with conflict and problems.
When you 'put on charity', you have focused your faith on the fact that Jesus loves you, and dwells in you, and he will never leave you or forsake you. Charity is God's unconditional love ! You are the object of his love, and the conduit of his love for the others around you. Knowing that you are loved, in spite of your failings and sins, will give you peace in all circumstances.
When you believe that God loves you unconditionally, you are able to love others unconditionally. your peace of mind is not tied to your circumstances, or to to the way you are treated by others. When Jesus is your foundation in this life, you can know that your hard times are always temporary!.
Your awareness of peace is not based on your feelings, or your present situation, it is accessed by faith in God's promises, and held onto by the perseverance that his grace provides.
Jesus said. "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." John 14:27
When things are not going well, and people have disappointed you, you must believe the promise of peace that Jesus has given us. You won't always automatically feel peaceful, but you can rely on the Holy Spirit to supply what you feel is lacking. Peace is a fruit of the Spirit, which God has supplied to his children by grace. Sometimes fruit seems to take a long time to develop; but in Jesus, our harvest is sure and abundant. As a result of the eternal life given to you at the time of your new birth, you have all things that pertain to life and godliness! (1 Peter 1:2,3)
People who feel condemned and unworthy, tend to condemn others and to make life miserable for those around them. Those people who know the secret of God's grace and his unconditional love, are a joy to be around. When the peace of God is active in your life, you will be a problem solver and a peacemaker. those who lack peace, are problem makers and abusive to others in their words and their actions.
I thank God that he has made a way for us to overcome our guilt and condemnation, by giving us the gift of his righteousness, and removing our sin problem at Calvary! Because of what he has done, we are able to enjoy the peace which he provides, and be a blessing to our friends and family. If you are mean-spirited and envious and sarcastic, you don't have to stay miserable, you can allow yourself to be ruled by God's freely given peace.
His grace is free for the taking, you can change if you will let Jesus have his way in your life, and quit trying to do it all yourself. Let his peace rule you, and enjoy resting in his love!
©2011 Rev. Charles J. Loubert
