Today’s devotion comes from Colossians 3:15.
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.” Colossians 3:15.
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Consider the “relationship with others” context of this verse. “But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him— a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all. So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.” Colossians 3:8-14.
So, this peace in today’s Scripture should not only make us feel good and be good, but it should also make others feel good and be good; “indeed you were called in one body”.
If we can somehow get this peace, then it will be more likely that we will not be angry, nor show wrath, nor slander, and nor engage in abusive speech.
If we can somehow get this peace, then it should also help us be more compassionate, more kind, more humble, more gentle, more patient, more bearing others’ burdens, more forgiving, and more loving.
So, how can we get this peace?
We already have this peace.
Romans 5:1
“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,”
“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,”
We have this peace through Christ who said: “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.” John 14:27.
We have this peace through the Holy Spirit Whom bears the fruit of peace within us. Galatians 5:22.
So then, how can we let this peace rule in our hearts in a way that this peace overflows and affects others and blesses others?
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
“May they prosper who love you.
“May peace be within your walls,
And prosperity within your palaces.”
For the sake of my brothers and my friends,
I will now say, “May peace be within you.”
For the sake of the house of the Lord our God,
I will seek your good.” Psalm 122:6-9.
“May they prosper who love you.
“May peace be within your walls,
And prosperity within your palaces.”
For the sake of my brothers and my friends,
I will now say, “May peace be within you.”
For the sake of the house of the Lord our God,
I will seek your good.” Psalm 122:6-9.
Proverbs 16:7
“When a man’s ways are pleasing to the LORD, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.”
“When a man’s ways are pleasing to the LORD, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.”
Isaiah 26:12
“LORD, You will establish peace for us, Since You have also performed for us all our works.”
“LORD, You will establish peace for us, Since You have also performed for us all our works.”
Isaiah 52:7
“How lovely on the mountains Are the feet of him who brings good news, Who announces peace And brings good news of happiness, Who announces salvation, And says to Zion, “Your God reigns!”
“How lovely on the mountains Are the feet of him who brings good news, Who announces peace And brings good news of happiness, Who announces salvation, And says to Zion, “Your God reigns!”
Isaiah 55:12
“For you will go out with joy And be led forth with peace; The mountains and the hills will break forth into shouts of joy before you, And all the trees of the field will clap their hands.”
“For you will go out with joy And be led forth with peace; The mountains and the hills will break forth into shouts of joy before you, And all the trees of the field will clap their hands.”
Isaiah 66:12
“For thus says the LORD, “Behold, I extend peace to her like a river, And the glory of the nations like an overflowing stream; And you will be nursed, you will be carried on the hip and fondled on the knees.”
“For thus says the LORD, “Behold, I extend peace to her like a river, And the glory of the nations like an overflowing stream; And you will be nursed, you will be carried on the hip and fondled on the knees.”
Jeremiah 33:6
“Behold, I will bring to it health and healing, and I will heal them; and I will reveal to them an abundance of peace and truth.”
“Behold, I will bring to it health and healing, and I will heal them; and I will reveal to them an abundance of peace and truth.”
Ezekiel 37:26
“I will make a covenant of peace with them; it will be an everlasting covenant with them. And I will place them and multiply them, and will set My sanctuary in their midst forever.”
“I will make a covenant of peace with them; it will be an everlasting covenant with them. And I will place them and multiply them, and will set My sanctuary in their midst forever.”
Matthew 5:9
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”
Romans 12:18
“If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.”
“If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.”
Romans 14:19
“So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another.”
“So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another.”
2 Corinthians 13:11
“Finally, brethren, rejoice, be made complete, be comforted, be like-minded, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.”
“Finally, brethren, rejoice, be made complete, be comforted, be like-minded, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.”
“For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity. And He came and preached peace to you who were far away, and peace to those who were near; for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father.” Ephesians 2:14-18.
Ephesians 4:3
“being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
“being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
Ephesians 6:15
“and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE;”
“and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE;”
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:4-7.
2 Thessalonians 3:16
“Now may the Lord of peace Himself continually grant you peace in every circumstance. The Lord be with you all!”
“Now may the Lord of peace Himself continually grant you peace in every circumstance. The Lord be with you all!”
Titus 3:2
“to malign no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing every consideration for all men.”
“to malign no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing every consideration for all men.”
Hebrews 12:14
“Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord.”
“Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord.”
“But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” James 3:17-18.
2 John 1:3
“Grace, mercy and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.”
“Grace, mercy and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.”
In conclusion, God gives us such a powerful peace that this powerful peace rules in our hearts and overflows and affects others and blesses others. God also gives us His Word and works within us to pray for this peace and to pursue this peace and to practice this peace.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 