Faith for the Week: Let Peace Make the Call
Faith for the Week is a moment to pause, reflect, and receive encouragement grounded in God’s Word for the days ahead.
Colossians 3:15 (ASV)
“And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to the which also ye were called in one body; and be ye thankful.”
Reflection
Most of us read the word rule in this verse and picture a king on a throne somewhere far away. The word Paul chose is closer to everyday life than that. It comes from the athletic games of his day, and it’s the word for the umpire, the one who watched the contest and made the call.
Read the verse again with that picture in mind. Let the peace of Christ make the call in your heart.
That means there’s a contest going on in there. The verses just before this one tell you what it’s about. Paul’s talking about living close to other people. Put on kindness, he says, and forgive each other when someone has a complaint against someone. He knows what happens next. Somebody says the wrong thing at the wrong time, and now something inside you is arguing about what to do with it.
Part of you wants to replay it and be right about it. Underneath that is a quieter voice, and it belongs to the peace of Christ. Paul says let that voice make the call.
Notice the word let. Christ’s peace is already there. You don’t have to go find it or work it up. Letting it rule means you stop overruling it.
When something gets under your skin, who usually makes the call in you? Is it the hurt, or is it His peace?
Paul adds that you were called to this peace in one body. It was never meant to be a private calm you keep to yourself. When His peace makes the call in your heart, it usually makes a call about another person too. Sometimes the call is to let it go. Other times it’s to have the hard conversation and to go in gentle.
Then he ends plainly: be ye thankful. It’s hard to stay at war with someone while you’re thanking God for what He’s done for you. Two verses earlier, Paul reminds you that the Lord forgave you first. Thankfulness keeps that in front of you, and it makes the umpire easier to hear.
Application: The next time something flares up with someone, wait before you answer. Ask Jesus what His peace says about it, and let that be the call you follow.
Prayer: Jesus, thank You that Your peace is already in me, and I don’t have to go looking for it. When something stirs me up this week, help me stop and listen for You before I react. Let Your peace make the call in my heart, and keep me thankful while I wait on it. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Closing: You don’t have to settle every argument inside you on your own. His peace is right in the middle of it, and it’s allowed to have the final word.
