A "Peace" of Colossians

Over the last few months I've been leading our church through Paul’s letter to the Colossian church. I have always loved this letter because of the place in which it elevates Jesus. I love the description of Him there in chapter one- Rescuer, Image of the invisible God, Creator, Sustainer, Centerpiece of everything that has ever been, Redeemer...there is so much about the Christ there in the first chapter. A detailed examination of this could be an entire series of posts in themselves.

In chapter 3 Paul has shifted from examining who Jesus is and is now addressing this church's proper response to who Jesus is. Paul does this by giving them practical instructions on conduct and living. He says in verse 15 to "let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts to which indeed you were called into one body" (NAS). So many times I do not see the right picture of that word peace. I feel that we have made this into something that is almost fluffy. But it's not just a warm fuzzy feeling that comes over me and masks the bad stuff in my life. Sure, trusting in Jesus will bring an assurance that He is in control of all things, especially in times of suffering, pain and uncertainty. But this peace that should rule our hearts is the peace that He purchased between God and man. The redemption that Believers have entered into...the ability now not to sin...the demand for Jesus to be "our very life" (Col. 3:4). This opens up a new realm for the word "peace." It's not political peace that we should seek. It is inevitable that sinful man will engage in conflict. It is not a peaceful, balanced core or center that New Age thought tells us we need. Instead, the word peace that guides our hearts goes back to the fundamentals of salvation. Everything that was made accessible through the peace that Christ made should now be what becomes the ruler of our lives. I would much rather have this definition of peace in my life instead of a calm feeling. This peace is not one that leaves after the situation subsides. It is enduring throughout the ages.

I don't think this idea of peace ruling our lives would be nearly as big of a deal if it were not for the presentation and explanation of who Jesus is back in chapter 1 of Colossians. Now, because that One who is all of those things has purchased peace, we are called to live a life of holiness. Because it is Jesus, the Creator and first born of all creation who sustains all things, my heart longs to live a life of holiness. I no longer seek peace. I am enthralled with living a life in response to peace.

Thoughts on Titus 2:1 through 3:2

In chapter Five of Jerry Bridges book, The Discipline of Grace, I have been challenged to examine my life based on what our dear brother Paul writes to his friend Titus. Here is a link to the Scripture passage.

The apostle Paul has for us in this letter wonderful encouragement and exhortation on Practical Christian Living. His foundation being the grace and mercy of our Lord Jesus, in His death and resurrection and in turn His matchless gift of faith, Paul almost pleads with Titus and through him to us, the need for dead to self honest Christian living. Bridges says that Paul sums it up in three words: self-controlled, upright, and godly. He then goes on to unpack what Paul's intentions were in writing to those early Christians on how to live. Paul addresses various groups but, one could put themselves in the place of any age group and even some of the more gender specific instructions and gain from heeding the teaching there. A passage that Bridges point out and that stood out to me even as I meditated on it seperate from the reading in the book, was Titus 2:5; "that the word of God may not be reviled". He is specifially speaking to the women or wives in the context of those believers, however, what struck me was that this tiny (not even a sentence) portion can be applied to so many facets of my life. It begs me to go beyond the question of whether it is permissible or lawful for me to do this or that. It asks me. "will this (conduct, activity, object in my hand) that is visible for all to see going to cause people to love the Word of God or to hate it. In verse 10, Paul writes, "so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive." (NIV) Paul was concerned with the reputation of the Word and the Gospel of Jesus. His main goal was to attract people to the Cross of Christ. His desire then was to see those Cretan Christians live in such a way that non-believers would desire to become disciples of Jesus. The ESV renders verse 10 using the phrase "they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior." Adorn is a word we use in our culture to make something look better. Like the NIV's usage of attractive here, Paul is saying that our conduct must not make the teachings, the Word, the Truth of Jesus - well, ugly.

An unbelieving world that is growing more antagonistic towards true Christianity, must have modeled for it the beauty of the Gospel wrapped up in the life of the disciple who is self-controlled, upright and godly. Living on purpose to be examples at work, playing games, driving in traffic, our giving, our spending, so that unbelievers would see the gospel in our lives. I have found while reading Bridges book, that I have been neglecting preaching the Gospel to myself. And if I don't preach it to myself how then can I preach it to those who have never heard it or are ill-disposed to the Savior who would set them free. This book has been helping everyday, page by page, to preach the gospel again, first to myself and to others. The Gospel of Jesus' life, death and resurrection for the forgiveness of my sins! The Gospel. The Gospel! What Good News it is! May we love it, live it and preach it. I am learning that there can be no complaining in preaching the Gospel. There is only thanksgiving and praise. Oh how sweet that the Savior was nailed to a Roman cross to conquer sin and death for me. To crucify me and my lusts along with Him thus, wiping out all of my iniquities and shame and guilt. This allows me to walk with Him in the newness of life enabling me to live a self-controlled, upright and godly life. And this in turn makes Him and His Word all the more beautiful and attractive to those who long to become one in the fellowship of the redeemed.

"Come and see the man who knows everything about me..."

I find then for me that the principle of 1 Thessalonians 5:18 applies as well, "give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."